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35
The number of cases in Shoreditch was more than in 1931, in which year
there were 263 cases with an attack rate of 2.7.
The measures taken to control the disease are as follows:—
Isolation of patient. With the exception of two cases all those
certified were removed to Hospital.
Disinfection of home and of articles likely to spread infection.
Advice to those exposed as to early symptoms and importance of
seeking medical aid.
Search for source of infection. It is sometimes found that there
is a missed case in the house still in the infectious stage.
As is the case with Diphtheria, susceptibility to Scarlet Fever
can now be ascertained by a simple test and persons who are liable
to contract the disease can be immunized. There is no clinic for this
purpose in Shoreditch, and no case of artificial Scarlet Fever immunization
came to the knowledge of the Public Health Department.
Diphtheria.
The cases certified numbered 295, of which 46 or 15 6 per cent were
subsequently not regarded as being diphtheria. The number of cases
during the year was thus 249, which gives an attack rate of 2 6 per 1000
inhabitants. In 1931 the number of cases was 228 and the attack rate 2 3.
The age, seasonal and ward distribution of the cases are included in the
table on page 30.
There were 7 fatal cases—2 males and 5 females. These occurred in
the following age groups:—
Aged 1-2 years 2
Aged 2-5 years 1
Aged 5-10 years 4