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Prevalence of and Control over
Infectious and Other Diseases.
The two outstanding events of the year as regards infectious
diseases were the small outbreak of smallpox in July and the
diphtheria outbreak in October-November. In spite of these
occurrences, 1933 was very satisfactory from an infectious diseases
standpoint.
From Table V, on page 71, it will be seen that 249 cases of
infectious diseases were notified during the year, as against 239 in
1932. The average for the five years 1929-1933 was 303. These
249 cases represent infection in 226 houses. The figure of 249 is 10
more than last year, the increase being accounted for by the greater
population.
When one comes to consider the-Infectious Sickness Rate of
the district, i.e., the number of persons per 1,000 of population
suffering from any notifiable infectious disease during the year, the
comparison becomes clearer. This rate is a fairly good index of the
health standard of the community in relation to its resistance
against infectious disease, and, happily, the figure for Southgate is
low. The Infectious Sickness Rate for 1933 was 4.2 as against 4.3
in 1932 and 4.5 in 1931. The figure of 4.2 is one of the lowest ever
recorded in Southgate. and shows that a steady increase in population
does not necessarily bring with it an increase in the incidence
of infectious diseases.
The notification of these diseases was the means of causing the
inspection, apart from the ordinary inspections, of 157 premises.
During such inspections, 48 houses were found to contain sanitary
defects, consisting chiefly, as previously, of defective water-closets,
dampness and want of cleansing. These defects have all been
remedied.
No case of overcrowding was met with in any of the houses
inspected in connection with cases of infectious disease.
One hundred and twenty-six cases were removed to the Isolation
Hospital at Total enhall Road. Of these, 70 were suffering from
scarlet fever, 22 from diphtheria, 1 from paratyphoid fever, 7 from
erysipelas, 1 from pneumonia and whooping cough, and 1 from
puerperal fever, while 9 were observation cases and 15 were
"diphtheria carriers."
Smallpox.—For the first time in more than a quarter of a
century smallpox showed itself in Southgate. Four cases occurred
in one family residing in Lower Park Road, New Southgate, the
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