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20
Section F. PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER,
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
The incidence of infectious disease was low throughout the year
and our fears that we might be called upon to face serious winter
epidemics, particularly of influenza, were fortunately not realised. The
reason for this must remain a matter for speculation, but the enforced
decrease in assemblies of persons at cinemas and other meeting places
no doubt operated as a favourable factor on the situation, moreover,
the regular shelter population in the district was small even during the
period of heavy air attack on London.
There is no evidence that the health of children has suffered,
hitherto, either physically or psychologically as the result of rationing,
disturbed nights or overcrowded sleeping conditions. On the other
hand, there are signs of a fall in general standards of cleanliness, particularly
amongst school children. In one school in the district 12% of the
children were found (early in 1941) to have dirty heads, and there are
signs also of an increase in scabies amongst the population generally.
The problem, so far as children are concerned, must be attacked
through the school nurses and health visitors, but the steam disinfection
of bedding and clothing is carried out when necessary in cases brought
to the notice of the health department. Unfortunately, information is
received of what is probably but a small proportion of the total number
of cases and the compulsory notification of scabies and other verminous
conditions, by doctors and health visitors, might well lead to more
immediately practical and useful results than the recently introduced
notification of measles and whooping cough.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
Immunisation clinics were held regularly once a month at all
Child Welfare Centres throughout the year, and in addition, the
general practitioner's scheme provides for treatment by a child's own
doctor, if desired.