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7
Scarlet Fever was prevalent during 1941 with 119 cases
compared with 49 1940, but was mild in character and no
mortality occurred.
Diphtheria was notified in 31 Instances with a mortality
of 3 deaths-10 per cent of cases-which underlines the
need of immunization.
Measles was prevalent in epidemic form from the autumn
of 1940 until it reached peak in June Quarter, 1941, when
the epidemic almost immediately subsided in July. The
infection was mild and mortality was absent.
Infantile Mortality continued on a pleasingly low rate
of 28 per 1,000 live births, compared with 59 for the
country as a whole.
Scabies was prevalent and needed our constant attention
throughout the year. New factors of spread of infection in
this and other infectious diseases have entered into the
field of' control and supervision through crowding in
shelters and through the communal use of blankets by
persons required to sleep at their duty stations during
war time,
I have pleasure in drawing the attention of the
Committees to the. loyal service of all members of the
Department; their application to duty during these difficult
times is exemplary. 1 am also appreciative of the special
help Mr. Lawley, Chief Clerk, has given me during the year,
This Report does not cover the "Work of the Officers of the
department in the sphere of their Civil Defence duties,
but, notwithstanding the additional work occasioned by
the Casualty Services, &c., which come Within the scope
of the Department, they have maintained their duties
in the Health Services at pre-war standards.
Atribute too must be paid to the general public for
the part they have played in co-operating with us; they
have continued to use the services, the centres and
clinics in spite of the period of intensive raiding.
Their morale is beyond praise, aided as it has been by the
Civil Defence work of the Health Visitors and Midwives
who have attended to duty under all conditions,
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
K. E. TAPPER,
Medical Officer of Health.