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of immunising children against diphtheria and pertussis combined
will be introduced, while reinforcing injections of the combined
immunising antigen will be available to children commencing
school.
Altogether, the Council can be assured that immunisation
against diphtheria, either alone or in conjunction with pertussis, is
being actively pursued in Southgate. and that this policy is of
advantage to the children. It might be noted that the occurrence
of cases of poliomyelitis in the neighbourhood are carefully
scrutinised, so that the existing scheme may be modified for a
time in the light of such incidents.
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever notifications during 1951 were slightly less than
those for the previous year (99) as against 115). The total approximates
to the average for the post-war years.
1 have commented on several occasions on the very mild type
of scarlet fever which is now occurring. I will therefore content
myself with stating that, although this is highly satisfactory from
the point of view of morbidity and mortality, the very mildness of
the disease gives rise to many administrative problems. This
particularly applies to exclusion from school. Each case is treated
as an individual problem both as regards removal to hospital,
exclusion of contacts, and terminal disinfection. The assistance of
the Central Public Health Laboratory is requested whenever it
appears that a bacteriological investigation is called for in a school.
This assistance was not necessary during 1951.
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis
From the table of infectious diseases set out on page 37, it
will be noted that only one case of acute anterior poliomyelitis
occurred during 1951. This is very satisfactory, although it must
not be taken for granted that the low rate will continue.
We must obviously be prepared for a recrudescence of this
disease at any time, and must be ready with our control measures.
So long as poliomyelitis is not prevalent in Southgate or any
surrounding district, it would appear wise to abstain from any
measures of publicity which might tend to encourage a feeling of
uneasiness or even alarm. We therefore content ourselves with
making a balanced leaflet on poliomyelitis available throughout
the district, and by treating all suspected cases of poliomyelitis as
though they were, in fact, suffering from this disease, until the
contrary has been proved. This applies to contacts as well as to
cases. In doing so, we always endeavour to ensure the absence of
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