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period of trial and error. There seems no reason to doubt that the
final conquest of poliomyelitis will follow parallel lines.
In September 1953, I addressed a letter to all Head Teachers
in Southgate, pointing out the precautions which could be taken in
schools to minimise the spread of poliomyelitis, having due regard
to the information at our disposal. As in the case of the general
practitioner, co-operation was generous and immediate.
As will be noted in the paragraphs dealing with diphtheria,
we suspended the combined type of immunisation against diphtheria
and pertussis during most of August and part of September,
following a rise in the number of cases of poliomyelitis reported
from surrounding districts.
Measles
1,073 cases of measles were notified during the year, as against
421 cases in 1952. So far as can be ascertained, this is the highest
number of measles cases recorded during any one year. As might
be expected, the number of cases so far reported during 1954 has
been comparatively low. The disease was again extremely mild,
admission to hospital being required in no more than 17 cases.
It must be admitted that, although the severity of measles has
appreciably declined during the past decade, incidence has not been
in any way affected. So long as complication and death rates remain
at the present negligible level, the position can be regarded as
reasonably satisfactory, although we still look forward to the day
when measles can be fully controlled and will not even have the
nuisance value it at present possesses.
Pertussis
One hundred and thirty-two cases of pertussis were notified
during the year, as against 40 in 1952. Once again, it will be seen
that the rise and fall in pertussis notifications very closely followed
the curve of measles.
We are still continuing our policy of immunisation both
against pertussis alone and against diphtheria and pertussis combined.
The Ministry of Health has still not given its unqualified
blessing to immunisation against pertussis, as has been the case in
regard to diphtheria. We have not, therefore, had the advantage of
a national campaign, the practice varying quite considerably from
district to district. Extensive investigations have been proceeding
in various parts of the country, to estimate not only the precise
benefits of immunisation against pertussis, but also the value of the
various types of antigen available. When these investigations have
been completed, and the appropriate reports compiled, I have little
doubt that the policy of protection against pertussis by means of
immunisation will be extended.
In the meantime. I am satisfied that our present policy should
be pursued.
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