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43
SECTION F.
PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS
AND OTHER NOTIFIABLE DISEASES.

Reviewing the list as compared with last year one sees that the
Dysentery cases have increased from 10 to 79. Food Poisoning shows
some decrease. Infective Hepatitis has increased from 11 to 35 cases,
Measles has decreased from 2,590 to 23 and one case of Paralytic
Poliomyelitis occurred. It is also interesting to note that Scarlet Fever
remained almost constant with a figure of 234 vice 246 in the previous
year. Lastly, Whooping Cough increased from 63 to 238 cases.
In a large populauon the number of Dysenterv cases notified is
not of great importance in this instance. It is gratifying to see that Food
Poisoning has decreased to half its previous figure. Infective Hepatitis
—Catarrhal Jaundice—which is only notifiable in certain parts of the
country shows a marked increase and has in fact trebled its incidence
from 11 to 33. It is difficult to stress the importance of this disease and
the effects it might have subsequently. Immediately, however, it does not
seem that material or permanent damage does result from it.
That Measles should fall from a very high number to an insignificant
one is typical of the incidence of that disease which commonly
comes every other year.
Especially interesting is the occurrence of only one case of
Poliomyelitis. What part any immunisation may have played in this
relatively happy state of affairs must remain a subject for opinion
rather than for emphasis. There can be little doubt, however, that the
future prevention of Poliomyelitis does lie in the widespread acceptance
of protective measures which are happily now available on an ever
increasing scale.
As I remarked last year I see little benefit in Scarlet Fever being
continued as a notifiable disease.