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Scarlet Fever.
There was a reduction of 75 in the number of cases of Scarlet Fever notified
during the year, 142 cases occurring compared with 217 in 1953. Forty-nine of these
were removed to hospital.
Measles.
Owing to a considerable outbreak of Measles in 1953 it was expected that the
incidence during 1954 would be low, Chly 49 cases were notified compared with 2.096
the previous year.
In view of the fact that outbreaks of the disease appear to occur every other
year an epidemic incidence can be expected at Easter 1955 and 1957.
Whooping Cough
This disease, also, showed a reduction, 144 cases occurring compared with 407
in 1953.
In 1952 the Middlesex County Council instituted a scheme of immunisation against
Whooping Cough. Figures supplied by the Area Medical Officer show that during the
years 1952 to 1954, 4.060 children received protection against the disease. In these
years the number of notifications received were as follows:- 1951- 604; 1952- 508;
1953- 407; 1954- 144. This shows a progressive decline in the incidence of the
disease and it would appear to indicate that immunisation is having some effect.
Food Poisoning.
Twenty notifications of Food Poisoning were received during 1954. The cases
were distributed throughout the year as follows:-
First Quarter. Second Quarter. Third Quarter. Fourth Quarter.
6 7 6 1
In nine cases the type of the infection was unknown and in eleven cases was
identified as follows:-
Salmonella Typhi Murium 8
Salmonella Anatum 1
Salmonella Muenchen 1
Shigella Sonnei 1
Of the twenty cases, four occurred in one family, the others being single cases
spread throughout the Borough,
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