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Puerperal Pyrexia.
There was an increase in the number of cases of puerperal pyrexia. 116 cases
occurring compared with 113 in 1956.
Of the 116 cases, 51 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 1957 is 59.7 per 1,000 total (live and still) births.
If the figure for the Hendon residents only is taken the rate is 26.2 per 1,000
total (live and still) births.
The rate for England and Wales is 15.99.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There was an increase of 3 in the number of cases notified - 16 cases, compared
with 13 in 1956. All the cases were admitted to hospital.
Scarlet Fever.
There was an increase of 22 in the number of cases of scarlet fever notified
during the year, 158 cases occurring compared with 136 in 1956. 30 of these cases
were removed to hospital. Fortunately, today scarlet fever is a mild complaint
compared with the disease which occurred in the earlier part of this century.
Measles.
During the course of the year 2164 cases of measles were notified, compared
with 295 in 1956. As mentioned in my last report it was expected that an epidemic
would occur in the spring of 1957. It is interesting to note that most of the cases
occurred in the first half of the year, and in the last quarter no case was notified.
Measles tends to occur in epidemic form every two years. An epidemic, therefore,
may be expected in the spring of 1959.
Whooping Cough.
This disease showed an increase on the 1956 figure, 207 cases being notified
compared with 135 last year.
Dysentery.
Twentyfive cases of dysentery were notified compared with 54 in 1956. The cases
were spread throughout the Borough.
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