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15
During 1952 there occurred no case of smallpox, diphtheria,
pemphigus of the newborn, typhoid and paratyphoid fever or acute
infective encephalitis; and only one case each of ophthalmia of the
newborn, meningitis, and post infectious encephalitis.
Only six cases of diphtheria have been notified in Leyton
during the last five years, and the last death from diphtheria
occurred in 1947. Nevertheless diphtheria still remains one of the
dangerous diseases of infancy, and its elimination depends on
whether or not the percentage of immunised children remains
sufficiently high. Immunisation against diphtheria should be
completed before the child's first birthday.
Leyton, in common with most metropolitan and extrametropolitan
areas, experienced the most widespread measles
epidemic since figures became available. The number of cases
notified during the year reached the record figure of 1,630. The
fact that only one child died from measles, or its complications,
suggests that the disease is becoming less severe in type.
Scarlet fever was also much more prevalent than usual, but
the very mildness of the prevalent type is making it most difficult
to diagnose, and even more difficult to control.