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ten years, and has been as low as 27 in 1945 and 28 in 1947.
Further reduction is still possible, but in the nature of things it
cannot be very great, and the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
as it hands over its charge to its successors, may be well
satisfied with the work which it has accomplished, and the results
it has achieved.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
Table IV in the Appendix gives details of all the cases of
infectious disease notified during the year. The total of 753 is
higher than that of the previous year which was 671. It will be
seen that measles with 410 notifications and whooping cough with
171, accounted for two-thirds of the cases notified. Only 10 cases
of diphtheria were notified and for the eighth year in succession
no death occurred from this disease in Wood Green, a highly satisfactory
record. 46 cases of scarlet fever were notified without a
death, and there were only two deaths in 410 notified cases of
measles. 52 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were notified with
17 deaths and 10 cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis with
5 deaths. There were 34 notifications of pneumonia and 29 deaths
from this disease. There were two cases of anterior poliomyelitis
notified, both of which recovered, one completely without any
resulting paralysis.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION.
Immunisation against diphtheria was continued as in former
years, the number of children immunised for the first time being
926. 811 of these were under five years of age, the vast majority
being immunised about the time of their first birthday, and 115
were at ages from 5 to 15 years. In addition 515 children who had
been previously immunised received reinforcing injections, mostly
at the time of admission to an infant school. The immunising
material used in all cases was Alum Precipitated Toxoid, provided
free by the Ministry of Health.
SCABIES.
All cases of scabies requiring treatment during 1947 were sent
to the Hornsey Cleansing Station, by arrangement with the Hornsey