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sensationalism. This is particularly important, as most of these
cases are eventually proved to be suffering from some other form
of infection.
Measles
Nine hundred and eighty cases of measles were notified during
the year, as against 629 in 1950. This total was unusually high,
and was part of the national picture. Once again, the type of
disease met with was extremely mild. Admission to hospital was
only required in eight cases.
Pertussis
Although the number of cases of measles which occurred
during 1951 was higher than the total for the previous year,
pertussis notifications showed a slight drop (126 in 1951, as against
155 in 1950). It was once thought that the incidence of these
diseases tended to run along parallel lines. Our views have now
had to be modified, due to various circumstances. It is extremely
doubtful whether the amount of immunisation against pertussis,
mostly carried out in conjunction with diphtheria, has yet had
time to influence the incidence of this disease. I am personally
convinced that, if immunisation against pertussis were pursued
with the same vigour as had been the case with immunisation
against diphtheria, the results would be comparable. At the
moment, we await the findings of the widespread investigation at
present being carried out by the Medical Research Council. If this
investigation produces the type of evidence which is, I believe,
expected, it is sincerely to be hoped that pertussis will receive the
same attention in regard to immunisation as did diphtheria during
the war.
Food Poisoning
Sixteen cases of food poisoning occurred during 1951, as
against 22 during the previous year. Against this, it should be
noted that 57 cases of Sonne dysentery occurred during the same
period, as against 28 in 1950. As before, it is virtually certain
that these figures represent no more than a percentage of the total
number of cases which occurred.
Our policy of collecting specimens of faeces from all cases of
food poisoning or suspected food poisoning, and also from family
contacts, has been continued. It is, perhaps, unfortunate that
districts vary in the matter of the bacteriological control of these
types of infection. This is particularly significant when it is
remembered that a district such as Southgate can never expect to
remain a separate entity, being directly influenced by what happens
in surrounding areas.
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