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In general infectious disease was less prevalent than in 1943.
, Soarlet fever continues of a mild type and there were no deaths. There
were 12 cases of diphtheria with 1 death as compared with 5 cases and
no deaths in 1943. This increased incidence was accompanied by an
increase in the severity of the disease and if the Borough is to be
protected against this severe type of diphtheria a greater number of
children must be immunised. There was a decided reduction in the
acccptance of immunisation and at the end of the year 37.3 per cent,
of the population under 5 years of age and 65.1 per cent, of the population
between 5 and 15 years were immunised as compared with 38.0 and
77.2 at 31st December, 1943. Parents must not be lulled into a false
sense of security by the low incidence of diphtheria - this low
incidence can be maintained only if a high proportion of the child
population is protected and the best time for immunisation is at the
age of one year, A small outbreak of dysentery occurred in one of
the day nurser.es and cleared up fairly quickly with no deaths. The
reduction in tuberculosis incidence and mortality continues. The
average tuberculosis death rate for 1940-44 was 63.2 per 100,000
population as compared with 60.4 in 1935-39 and 78.9 in 1930-34.
There is evidence that scabies was not as prevalent as in
1942 and 1943 and it is hoped that the peak of incidence has been
passed. Difficulty is still met in getting all members of infected
families to accept treatment. The same difficulty occurs in dealing
with lousiness where school children are re-infested by other members
of the family.
The four wartime nurseries, with accommodation for 189
children, continued in operation throughout the year and, apart from
a short period when the evacuation scheme was in full opsration, there
was always a number of children awaiting admission. Shortage of and
illness among the nursing and domestic staff have been the chief
problem in maintaining this service. Throughout the year the proportion
of the necessary nursing staff on duty in any week varied from
66 to 94 per cent. (average 79 per cent.) and of the necessary
domestic staff from 64 to 100 per cent. (average 86 per cent.), Had
the average attendance of children been high the problem would have
been much more serious. Actually throughout the year the average
attendance of children was 70 per cent. of the number on the registers.
Apart from a small outbreak of dysentery (Sonne) affecting 12 children
in one nursery the nurseries generally were free of serious illness or
epidemics and the poor average attendance was due largely to minor
illness, colds, catarrhs, etc. and to some extent to the prevalence of
whooping cough and measles at the end of the year. Any physical
benefit a child derives from attendance at a day nursery is due to
adequate and suitable accommodation, a sufficient and suitable diet
and care and attention from trained staff. Much is heard of schemes
to provide, after the war, good housing and freedom from want but
little of the equally important matter of training the mothers of the
future in domestic science and mothercraft. Whatever may be the need
or desire for day nurseries and nursery schools such institutions can
never be a substitute for good mothercraft. In any long term plan to
benefit the children of the future a comprehensive scheme of training
in domestic science and mothercraft is more important than nursery
schools. The social unit is the family and good mothercraft is the
keystone of good family life. Only through the schools can we see
that every potential mother (and father) receives a basic training and
the matter should not be sidetracked in favour of more spectacular but
less effective methods or left to other ageneies.
Throughout the year full use has' been made of the various
clinic services. The distribution of dried milk and vitamin preparations
has been maintained. Through the kindness of the Grand Union
Canal Carrying Company a depot has been established at Bull's Bridge
Wharf where dried milk and vitamins can be supplied to expectant and
nursing mothers and young children living on canal boats. The amount
of dried milk and vitamin preparations supplied free or at a reduced
cost shows a reduction but there is an increase in the gross sale and
In the issue of vitamin preparations supplied by the Ministry of
Pood.
3.