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28
SECTION F.
PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS
DISEASE.
In general the picture is that Scarlet Fever cases rose from
116 to 211 as against the previous year; Measles rose from 585 to
1,719; Whooping Cough dropped from 307 to 291.
Sporadic outbreaks of limited extent and transient duration
characterised by Enteritis and vomiting occurred at one or two
schools, but after a lightning onset and diminution left with a cause
unascertained and no lasting ill-effects evident.
Infantile Paralysis showed a very slight decreased relative
incidence as compared to last year – 9 cases occurred – 6 of these
did not show any paralysis. 3 had paralysis of varying degree which
persisted until the end of the year at which time treatment was still
being continued. It should be emphasized that improvement can
continue for many months if not even for years after the onset of
the disease.
Whilst this number of cases does not represent an epidemic, all
precautions of known value were taken and contacts were followed
up carefully.
I believe that the normal habits of the community should only
be disrupted if there is strong evidence that the preventive benefits
likely to accrue are commensurate with the interference caused.
Our knowledge of Poliomyelitis is admittedly limited but this by no
means outmodes the application of ordinary hygienic practice.
Personal hygiene, hand-washing, e.g. before meals, avoidance of
crowds during an epidemic, generous house ventilation–these and
many other simple precautions are of value. The public health authority
can and do advise, but only the individual can practise.
Scarlet Fever.
The type of disease remains very mild with few complications.
Missed cases must in these circumstances be numerous. Isolation
of the individual probably assists in preventing spread but I consider
it doubtful whether really strict home isolation can be practised
for long in any large household irrespective of the excellent intentions
of many of the occupants. In addition the period of isolation
from this disease has lessened of late years and cannot be defined
with conviction since routine swabbings is impracticable–and in any
event of limited value. The date of release often depends upon the
views of the attending practitioner and with certain reservations
this policy may gain in practical merit what it lacks in theoretical
justification.