View report page

Puerperal Pyrexia
There was an increase in the number of cases of puerperal pyrexia, 113 cases
occurring compared with 109 in 1955
Of the 113 cases, 42 only were Hendon residents, the remainder being women from
other areas who entered the maternity hospital in the Borough for their confinements.
Notifications in respect of these cases have to be accepted by the Borough of Hendon
and not by the Authority within whose area the patient is normally resident.
In consequence, the rate for Hendon is high.
That for the year 1956 is 55.5 per 1,000 total (live and still) births.
If the figure for the Hendon residents only is taken the rate is 20 6 per 1,000
total (live and still) births.
The rate for England and Wales is 16.31.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
There was a reduced incidence of ophthalmia neonatorum 13 cases being notified
compared with 18 in 1955, All of the cases were admitted to hospital.
Scarlet Fever.
There was an increase of 28 in the number of cases of scarlet fever notified
during the year, 136 cases occurring compared with 108 in 1955.
Fifty of these cases were removed to hospital.
Measles.
As was to be expected, after the epidemic in 1955. there was a considerable drop
in the number of cases of measles notified, 295 compared with 1952 last year
Measles tends to occur in epidemic form every two years An epidemic may be
expected, therefore, in the spring of 1957
Whooping Cough
This disease showed a decrease on the 1955 figure, 135 cases being notified
compared with 196 last year.
Dysentery.
Fifty-four cases of dysentery were notified compared with 28 in 1955.
During the year an outbreak of sonne dysentery occurred in a County Council
Hostel where homeless families are housed temporarily and the figures are included
in the 54 notifications,
27