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Scarlet Fever
There were 259 notified cases of scarlet fever occurring in the Borough during
the year, being 53 more than occurred in the previous year. The disease was usually
very mild. The great majority of patients (72 per cent.) were satisfactorily isolated
at home. Frequent visits were made by the Sanitary Inspectors to ensure that
proper precautions were being taken.
Measles
Of the total of 2,356 infectious disease notifications received during 1952,
measles notifications accounted for 1,417 or 60 per cent. of these notifications.
There were no fatal cases. Eighty-nine per cent. of the notified cases of measles
concerned children of school age. However, the number of notifications received
showed a sharp decrease as compared with the previous year (2,940), and this
conforms to the two-year cycle associated with the disease.
Whooping Cough
Notifications totalled 325. One case proved fatal. Forty-three of the patients
were admitted for hospital treatment owing to complications or because of lack
of suitable nursing facilities at home.
Diphtheria
For the third year in succession there were no known cases of diphtheria
occurring within the Borough. Altogether, 13 cases were notified by medical
practitioners, in each case the diagnosis being revised. Seven patients were found
subsequently to have tonsillitis, two to have bronchitis, one Vincent's Angina, one
glandular fever and two patients no known disease.
Zymotic Enteritis
Of the 69 cases of this disease which were notified, 39 occurred in children
under one year. Three deaths of children under one year were attributable to
enteritis, gastritis or diarrhoea.
Malaria
Eight confirmed cases of malaria occurred in the Borough during the year, of
which five related to members of H.M. Forces stationed in the Borough who had
been abroad recently. Another case was that of a girl of eight years who had been
in this country only a short time, and two infections related to civilians who had
also been abroad. Six of the patients concerned were admitted to hospital.
Acute Poliomyelitis.
During 1951 there had been a pleasing decline in the number of cases of
poliomyelitis, but this was not maintained during 1952, when there were 24
confirmed cases of this disease in its paralytic form and four in its non-paralytic
form. In only one instance was there any connection between notified cases, two
members of the same family being ill at the same time Two of the notified cases
proved to be fatal.
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