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4
are taught to realise more fully their responsibilities.
The ignorance of the senior schoolgirl and young mother
of their anatomy and internal economy is appalling!
One is not surprised that the question of the desirability
for couples about to marry obtaining a certificate of
fitness after a rigid medical examination is again being
freely discussed.
NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
During 1921 there were 134 cases of infectious
disease notified as occuring in the district. Of these
55 were Scarlet Fever. 8 were Pneumonia.
43 „ Diphtheria. 5 „ Erysipelas.
15 „ Pulmonary Tuber- 4 „ Tuberculosis (other
culosis. than pulmonary).
The remainder were sporadic cases of Enteric,
Measles, Puerperal Fever, and Encephalitis Lethargica.
Diphtheria, which had been very prevalent in 1920,
still continued here (and throughout the whole country)
during 1921.
There were 43 cases; there had been 81 in 1920; 18
only in 1919.
Of the 43 cases 3 proved fatal. Doctors now find
that larger doses of the anti-toxin may be given with
advantage, and wisely do not wait for the result of the
swab examination if satisfied clinically that they are
dealing with a case of diphtheria. The mortality rate
is not large, but might be less or nil if parents could
realise the immediate necessity for seeking medical
advice in certain forms of sore throat. One has heard
that in some instances this apparent neglect may be due
to inability to pay a fee, but in Wembley no such excuse
can be given, as the dispensary letters are freely given
on application to the Clerk to the Council to those of
very small means who are not eligible for medical orders
from the Relieving Officer.
WATER SUPPLY.
The Wembley District is served by the Colne Valley
Water Co., and the supply is constant, and as a rule
good, but for a long time past, especially in the lowlying
parts of the district, the water, on first being drawn
became milky and appeared full of chalk, depositing
a sediment on being allowed to settle. The matter was
brought before the Secretary Manager on several occasions,
explanations were given, and some improvement
took place, but at the end of the year the trouble was
still often apparent. Before the war the Colne Valley