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The number of cases in Shoreditch was more than in 1932, in which year
there were 419 cases with an attack rate of 4.37.
The measures taken to control the disease are as follows:—
Isolation of patient. With the exception of seven 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 354, of which 68 or 15.8 per cent were
subsequently not regarded as being diphtheria. The number of cases
during the year was thus 286, which gives an attack rate of 3.1 per 1,000.
inhabitants. In 1932 the number of cases was 249 and the attack rate 2.6.
The age, seasonal and ward distribution of the cases are included in the
table on page 25.
There were 15 fatal cases—7 males and 8 females. These occurred in
the following age groups:—
Aged 1-2 years 2
Aged 2-5 years 5
Aged 5-10 years 7
Aged 10-15 years 1