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24
5.—PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
(i) Notifiable Diseases.
As I mentioned last year, most of the Infectious Diseases now
fall within this category, and, as in the past, I have not recorded
those notifications, where the diagnosis has been altered after a
period of observation, unless the amended diagnosis proved the condition
to be one of another type of infection which is notifiable,
when the case has then been appropriately recorded.
(a) Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis.
Popularly known as Infantile Paralysis, this, condition was
dormant in this area during 1948, when only 2 cases were notified.
During 1949, however, in keeping with the rest of the Country, the
disease again became prevalent. Altogether in Romford during the
epidemic period there were 7 proved cases, 6 being cases of Acute
Anterior Poliomyelitis, and 1 being a case of Polio-Encephalitis, in
the latter, affection of the cerebral nervous system being also manifest.
Three patients, unfortunately, died. Of the remainder, 2
showed evidence of paralysis in varying degree, and 2 showed no
evidence of paralysis, being abortive in type. All the cases were
removed to Rush Green Hospital. There is no doubt, however,
that a number of cases escaped detection, their symptoms being so
slight and evanescent as not to warrant their seeking medical advice.
The carrier rate was also probably high and widespread.
The same precautionary measures were adopted, as set out in
my report for 1947.
There is still a considerable amount unknown about this condition,
and to assist in the research side of the work full particulars
of the cases were forwarded to the Ministry of Health.
Why Poliomyelitis should in two years since 1947 have assumed
such outstanding proportions is not yet known, but it is comforting
to know that research not only of statistics in this Country, but of
other Countries which have suffered more considerably, will, without
doubt, eventually pave the way to mastery of the disease.
(b) Acute Infective Hepatitis.
Twenty-eight cases were notified during the year, and these
notifications were again forwarded to the Regional Medical Officer
at Cambridge, who is still pursuing research into the condition.
(c) Diphtheria.
During 1949, no cases of this disease were notified. This is
the first year on record when a "Nil" return has been recorded.
This is a disease which has been practically eliminated from
the district, thanks to Diphtheria Immunisation, which has now
been practised in a large measure in Romford since 1935. To maintain
this satisfactory position, however, it is essential that the Immunisation
rate is maintained at a high level, and this can only be