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the case of diphtheria immunisation, where the child is not treated before
attaining the age of nine months. The reason for the difference is that
whooping cough attacks, and is then most deadly in its effects, children
of the youngest ages, so that postponement of inoculation to the
same age as that at which diphtheria immunisation is carried out would
result in many having succumbed to the infection before this time.
NON-NOTIFIABLE INFECTIONS.
Chickenpox.
Many, though by no means all, of the population suffer at some
time, mostly in childhood, from an attack of chickenpox. One definite
attack appears to confer complete immunity.
Last year intimations were received from the head teachers of the
local schools of 496 cases amongst school children, almost all in the autumn
term. Most occurred in two schools, namely 195 in Cannon Lane, and
108 in Kenmore.
Chickenpox is one of those diseases which though perhaps not to be
deliberately contracted, because an exceptional case is severe and a
particularly rare one might have serious complications, is sufficiently
mild for no precautions to be taken to arrest spread beyond the obvious
one of isolation of the infective patient. School contacts are not now
excluded, a distinct advantage having regard to the very long incubation
period.
Mumps.
This is another of those mild infections which, if a person has to
suffer from it, is better contracted in childhood than later. This is because
an attack in childhood is not only less liable to be accompanied by the
complications which are common when the disease occurs amongst the
older, especially adolescents, but because an attack at that age is less
serious in the disturbances which occur to the adult life. Little beyond
the isolation of the patient can be done to control the spread, and school
contacts are not now excluded from attendance at day schools.
Last year only 128 intimations were received from head teachers.
As was the case of the previous year most cases occurred in the summer
term. Most schools escaped entirely, of all the cases half, 63, occurring
in one school, Harrow Weald, while two others, Pinner County and St.
Joseph's had 21 each.
German Measles.
The third of this group of diseases is German measles. At times an
outbreak of this infection occurs by itself, but more commonly it prevails
at the same time, but to nothing like the same extent, as measles. Again,
beyond the isolation of the patients no preventive steps are taken, and
school contacts of the day schools are not excluded.
No cases occurred in this district in 1945, a marked contrast to the
position here in 1944, when during the months of February to May, most
parts in the area suffered, in all about 1,600 cases occurring amongst
children attending the public elementary schools.
Influenza.
This condition is not notifiable as such. For a statistical indication