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E. There was no undue incidence of the acute infectious
diseases during 1945, except of measles. Towards the end of
1944* the figures showed a slight rise in the number of cases of
scarlet fever. This disease, however, for some years has continued
generally to be mild and sometimes the convinced
diagnosis is impossible without observation over a period. In
cases where the patient or a family contact be employed at
work in handling food, especially milk, from the public health
point of view it is (better administratively to act on suspicion and
medical colleagues were asked to inform the Public Health
Department of any such suspicious cases of scarlet fever thus
allowing the Department, perhaps, to assist in the prevention of
possible spread.
During the early Summer some cases of typhus fever were
imported from the Continent, fortunately not to Wembley. But
many possible contacts of this serious disease arrived in Wembley
calling for supervision and advice. The Public Health Department
is informed of all such typhus and smallpox contacts. The
contacts are visited and given appropriate advice and any
necessary action is taken. The Local Medical Profession have
been kept informed as appropriate. During the year 26 possible
smallpox contacts and 38 of typhus were supervised.
During August, 4 notifications of anterior poliomyelitis
(infantile paralysis) were received. A number of such cases
were occurring about that time on the Continent and the possibility
of personnel on leave acting as carrier spread was considered.
Again the Local Medical Profession were informed and
fully co-operated with the Public Health Department.
The incidence of infective hepatitis (jaundice) continued to be
collated throughout the year. These figures have been submitted
periodically to the Secretary of the Medical Research Council
Committee on Jaundice. This Committee's investigations have
now concluded and it is understood that the Wembley figures
are to /be included in its report.
The Council have been keenly anxious that the public should
accept diphtheria immunisation to the full and no opportunity has
been missed to point out the, value of protective inoculation
against this serious disease, for diphtheria is a serious disease
especially in children, but it can be prevented. The Public
Health Committee was gratified to learn of the opportunity taken
in The Hyde area, for example, to further the immunisation
campaign during their Holidays-at-Home Gala. The last page of
this programme was given over to a note to parents to protect
their children against diphtheria. Surely there is now no
family in the Borough unaware of the Council's scheme, but the
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