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of the same family is neither necessary nor desirable. We have still
very much to learn about this disease, more perhaps than relates to
any of the other common infectious illnesses. But we have at least
the satisfaction of knowing that, although the incidence of measles
has not altered materially within the past few decades, the death
and complication rates have fallen appreciably. This may be only
a passing phase, but it has resulted in the saving of many young
lives which would previously have been either lost or seriously
impaired.
Pertussis.—Notifications of pertussis rose during the year 1947,
from 136 in 1946 to 208 in 1947. The type of the disease was comparatively
mild, a particularly pleasing feature being the absence
of broncho-pneumonia as a serious complication. The scheme
whereby immunisation against pertussis either alone or combined
with diphtheria, is being offered to Southgate parents is referred to
later in this Report.
Tuberculosis.—Tuberculosis notifications rose from 71 in 1946
to 82 in 1947. Here I have little to add to the comments made in
last year's Annual Report. I would again point out that our responsibilities
in regard to this disease are more or less confined to the
efforts which we exert in the field of environmental hygiene. These
efforts must not, of course, be deprecated, as on the success or failure
of our national drive for improved living and working conditions,
the future course of a chronic disease such as pulmonary tuberculosis
must ultimately depend. It is tragic to know that the problem
exists and that there is little which we can do to arrive at an adequate
solution. So long as a large section of our population continues to
live in overcrowded conditions, so long as our rations continue to be
no more than adequate, and so long as the strain of modern life is
allowed to bear so heavily upon us, the fight against tuberculosis
will be long and hard. Anything which we can do to improve living
conditions in our area will help to reduce the risk. Once the disease
has shown itself, the responsibility passes to the County Council,
whose task is equally difficult. The County Council has at least one
advantage over the Borough Council, inasmuch as it can see the
results of its work in diagnosis, treatment and after-care. No
statistics will show the result of ours. But we know what can and
should be done, and no degree of difficulty should allow us to be sidetracked
from our obvious and urgent responsibilities.
I have already stated that environmental hygiene plays a most
significant part in shaping the course of a disease such as pulmonary
tuberculosis. This, of course, is only part of the story. There still
remains the bovine type of infection, affecting glands, joints, the
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