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NOTIFICATIONS OTHER THAN TUBERCULOSIS
Poliomyelitis
There was a decrease in the number of cases of Poliomyelitis notified during the year — 2 cases
occurred compared with 32 in 1957. Several years must elapse before the results and effects of
vaccination can be assessed, because the incidence of poliomyelitis varies so much from year to year
but American experience of the vaccine is very encouraging.
Puerperal Pyrexia
There was a slight decrease in the number of cases of Puerperal Pyrexia, 112 cases occurring
compared with 116 in 1957.
Of the 112 cases, 49 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 consequences, the rate for Hendon is high.
That for the year 1958 is 56,7 per 1,000 total (live and still) births.
If the figure for the Hendon residents only is taken the rate is 24.81 per 1,000 total (Live and
still) births.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
There was a decrease of 10 in the number of cases notified r— 6 cases compared with 16 in
1957. All the cases were admitted to hospital.
Scarlet Fever
There was a reduction in the number of cases of Scarlet Fever notified during the year, 113
cases being notified compared with 158 in 1957.
The disease was of a mild form and 28 of the cases were removed to hospital. The greatest
incidence occurred in the age group 5-9, 62 cases being notified in this group.
Measles
Measles tends to occur in epidemic form every two years, and at present in Hendon reaches a
peak early in the even numbered years. There was therefore a reduction in the number of cases
notified during the year, 603 cases occuring compared with 2,164 in 1957.
Whooping Cough
The homes of the majority of notified cases of whooping cough were visited during the year,
to observe the effect of immunisation against whooping cough on those children who were over
one year of age and under five years of age.
Ten cases of whooping cough were notified in this age range, and of these six had not been
immunised and four had been immunised. In the four immunised cases the mothers reported that
no definite whoop had been heard, and it would seem that in these cases the diagnosis was
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