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PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS AND OTHER
DISEASES
During 1947 there was a considerable rise in the incidence of measles. 334 cases were
notified during the year. Measles is a characteristic complaint which occurs in bi-annual
waves, and 1947 was the year when a larger number of notifications were likely to occur.
In 1946 there were only 21 notifications of measles. The type of case was, on the whole,
mild and no deaths were reported as being due to measles or any complication of measles.
The number of cases of diphtheria notified was nine and of these only one was
confirmed as being clinical diphtheria, this compares to 14 in 1946. There were no
deaths and no complications.
A considerable number of cases of dysentery occurred in St. Bernard's Hospital. . This
is a disease to which patients with mental disease are particularly prone, but the epidemic
in hospital was soon got under control and there was no spread outside the hospital.
In 1947 there was a considerable epidemic of poliomyelitis in England. Southall was
fortunate in having only three notifications with only one case of paralysis and no deaths.
Provision of Antitoxin.
The Council provided antitoxin free to local medical practitioners for cases of diphtheria
in the district.
The Ministry of Health has also sanctioned the supply of tetanus antitoxin by the
Council to local practitioners if such is required.
Diphtheria and tetanus antitoxin were obtainable at the Health Department during
office hours or at the Isolation Hospital at other times.
Under the scheme for the provision of insulin for necessitous cases not covered by other
schemes 21 people were supplied during 1947, either free or at part cost.
Vaccination.
The total number of successful vaccination certificates received during the year was
498, and the number of certificates of exemption issued was 520.
Table XXII in Appendix gives details of the percentage of children successfully
vaccinated during the last 11 years.
There was an improvement during 1947 in the number of children who were successfully
vaccinated. 45 per cent, of infants under one year of age were vaccinated, as compared with
24 per cent, for 1946. Propaganda for vaccination against smallpox was continued by the
doctors and nursing staff.
Disinfection.

The following articles were destroyed: 8 mattresses, 1 bolster, 1 pillow and 29 articles
of clothing.
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