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64
mildness of the condition that only 2 of these cases necessitated
hospital admission. In the previous year 209 cases were notified
but most of these occurred at the end of the year and were part of
the same epidemic. It is highly probable that the number of actual
cases was greater than this, but as always occurs when an infection
is mild, a certain number of cases never receive any medical attention
and so miss being notified.
No death from the disease occurred in the area.
PNEUMONIA.
During the year 23 cases were notified, a drop of 8 compared
with the previous year.
There were 44 deaths from pneumonia. This figure includes
people who died in other areas, but who are normally resident in
the Borough.
SCARLET FEVER.
Scarlet Fever continues to be a mild infection with the occasional
severe case cropping up for no apparent reason. There is
little doubt that, generally speaking, the disease has so lost its
terrors, that there must be quite a number of missed cases. Every
year there must be people who get sore throats with rashes so slight
and trivial that the latter are not even noticed and it is well to
remember that an attack of tonsillitis without a rash can often be
a much more serious illness than the modern type of scarlet fever.
During the year. 51 cases were notified, of which only 6 had
to be removed to hospital. In the previous year 60 cases were
notified so the overall position differed very little between the two
years.
There were no " return " cases, and no deaths notified.
SMALLPOX.
The continued absence of this disease is a cause for congratulation
and thankfulness, but we have to be constantly on our guard
against its importation with the ever increasing speed of travel
between different parts of the world. During the course of the year
several suspected contacts of cases in other parts of the world came
under the supervision of the department, but in no case did anything
develop.
There is also a steady call on the department to stamp and
sign International Certificates of Vaccination, which are not valid
until so countersigned.
Every year re-vaccination is offered to all members of the
staff of the Health Department.
I am indebted to the County Medical Officer for the following
figures showing the current position with regard to vaccination in
Bromley.
A total of 573 residents received Primary vaccination and
106 Re-vaccination during 1955.