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53
SECTION G. PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
Tables VII, VIII, IX and X in the appendix give figures
regarding notifiable diseases during 1946.
SCARLET FEVER.
Fifty-one cases were notified, giving an attack rate of 0.84
per 1,000 population. The cases were sporadic over the area,
mild in type, and no mortality. Twenty-eight of the cases were
isolated in hospital which is 55 per cent. of all notifications.
One "return" case was responsible for a further case in the
home. The type of infection continues to be mild and there
were no serious complications in any of the cases.
DIPHTHERIA.
Twelve cases were notified, giving an attack rate of 0.19 per
1,000 population. The incidence was sporadic in the Borough,
fortunately not virulent in type, and no mortality among the
patients.
We pin our faith to Diphtheria Immunisation as the only
reliable means of protecting childhood against the menace of
diphtheria. Every child has a natural right to the one safeguard
against a disease which has been, and can be, so fatal to
children. We ought not to be content in Bromley until the
margin of security of children immunised against diphtheria
has been raised at least to 90 per cent. The figures for 1946
show how far short we fall of this target.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
Approximate percentage of children under 15 years of age in
Bromley who have been immunised: 45.31%*.
No. of children completely immunised during 1946: (a) under
5,606; (b) over 5, 91.
Total No. completely immunised up to 31st December, 1946:
(a) under 5, 1,779; (b) over 5, 3,577.
In addition to these figures are the cases immunised by private
Practitioners and by authorities outside the County during the
evacuation period. A " Gallup Poll" taken at three schools showed the
Percentage of children immunised at one time or another to be 67 per
cent.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA.
Twenty-one cases occurred with happily no mortality.
Nineteen were institutionally treated and made good recovery.
Routine investigations were made in the hospital cases and the
advice rendered by Dr. R. I. Hutchinson in her bacteriological
investigations proved of great value, especially in the majority
of cases which occurred at the Bromley and District Hospital.