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24
SECTION E.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
In the Appendix is a tabulation of notified infectious diseases
throughout the year. There were no serious epidemics, the
epidemic of Poliomyelitis of the previous year having worked
itself out, except for a few sporadic cases.
Scarlet Fever.
One hundred and twenty cases were notified, 52 of which
were home-nursed and 63 treated in hospital. The infection continued.
to be mild in type, and it does appear that this disease is
no longer the acute disease of a few decades ago. The mildness
of the infection, however, tends to "missed" cases, and consequently
leads to spread of infection.
Diphtheria.
No cases of Diphtheria were notified during the year. This
may be due to the intensive immunisation that has been carried
out in recent years, but there are many other factors to be considered
before one can be definite on this point.
I have no available statistics of the state of immunisation
in Orpington children, as records since the 5th July have been
transferred to Maidstone and combined with those affecting
Area 7 as a whole.
Measles.
Three hundred and twenty-eight cases of Measles were notified
during the year, giving an attack rate of 5.6 per 1,000 population.
There was no mortality. As this disease is largely a
disease of the young child, an attack of Measles can have a farreaching
debilitating effects. The control of the disease is not
an easy matter, but careful nursing and isolation is not only
necessary for the sake of the patient, but necessary for preventing
the spread to others. The use of immune sera is not
universally practised.
Whooping Cough.
Three hundred and ninety-nine cases were notified, giving a
rate of 6.8 per 1,000 population. What has been said of Measles
is equally applicable to Whooping Cough. Immunisation against
this disease has not yet fully justified its use.