View report page

Whooping Cough.—The problems of whooping cough are
allied to those of measles, with which the disease is so often
associated in endemic or epidemic form. We have too long taken
whooping cough for granted, tending to concentrate our efforts on the
ancient enemies, diphtheria, scarlet fever and the typhoid infections.
This should no longer be the case. Recent work, particularly that of
Harriet Felton in America, has shown that whooping cough is
susceptible to control by immunisation in an urban community.
At the moment, the antigens available do not guarantee immunity
against infection, as is the case with diphtheria. But they do
offer a means of modifying the disease, should it occur in an
immunised individual. The great weight of evidence available
has already shown that whooping cough in the immunised occurs
in a mild form, failing to embarrass the sufferer and seldom leaving
•any serious after-effects. The advantages will be obvious. In
Southgate, we hope to offer immunisation against whooping cough
to parents, commencing early in 1947. We await the results of
our campaign with eagerness, and also with hope.
Tuberculosis.—Tuberculosis notifications rose by four during
the year, with a total of 71 as against 67 during 1945. This is not
surprising when full consideration is given to the present state of
housing, living conditions generally, and the employment of so
many young women in industry. The role of the Southgate Borough
Council in the control of tuberculosis is not so active as in other
fields of public health, but we do have very definite responsibilites.
Although such matters as the investigation and supervision of
contacts, treatment in hospital or sanatorium, and after-care rest
with the County Council, the environmental aspect of the problem
Temains with the local authorty. So far as lies within its power,
the Public Health Department attempts to improve the housing
conditions of those families from which a case of tuberculosis or
suspected tuberculosis has been reported. It is pleasing to report
that the Housing Committee has never failed to give our representations
the most sympathetic consideration, and that, in spite
of present difficulties, most of these unfortunate sufferers have been
assisted. But this only represents a fraction of the problem. So
long as overcrowding exists in its present form, and so long as
necessary repairs are being impeded or delayed, the situation will
remain acute. It is a sad thought that tuberculosis, which before
the war was being steadily fought and to a limited degree overcome,
is now showing signs of overstepping the bounds of control. It is
no consolation to blame this on the war, nor to say that present
47