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PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
In 1933, three hundred and twelve cases of infectious
diseases were notified as compared with three hundred and
eighty-one during the previous year. The most notable
change was the very considerable fall in the number of cases
of diphtheria.
There were one hundred and twenty-six cases of scarlet
fever, the same figure as in 1932. Twenty-one cases of
diphtheria occurred, forty-three less than in the previous year.
The incidence of diphtheria has shown a steady decline since
1928, when the number of cases notified amounted to one
hundred and seventy.
During 1933 there were two deaths from diphtheria
amongst Wimbledon residents. No death from scarlet fever
occurred.
The deaths from the non-notifiable infectious diseases
during the past four years were as follows:—
1930. 1931. 1932. 1933.
Measles 10 Nil 4 1
Whooping Cough ... 2 4 Nil 3
Diarrhoea (under 2 years) 2 5 4 2
Measles.—Measles was prevalent in epidemic form during
March, April and May, 1932, and three hundrd and thirty-one
cases came to the notice of the Public Health Department
during that year. In 1933 information was received of sixtyseven
cases, and only one death was registered as being due
to this disease.
Whooping Cough.—Whooping cough was more prevalent,
fifty-eight cases being notified to the Public Health Department
by the Head Teachers of the Public Elementary Schools.
Three deaths occurred from this disease on account of
broncho-pneumonia.
Diarrhoea (under two years).—Two deaths occurred from
this cause. Both these children died in local hospitals, the
ages at death being four months and fourteen months respectively.
Influenza.—Influenza was prevalent in a mild form
during the latter part of 1932 and a number of cases occurred
during the commencement of 1933. Twenty cases of influenzal
pneumonia were notified during the first three months.
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