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5
PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS
DISEASES.
Particulars of the incidence and distribution of the cases of infectious
disease notified during the year 1942 are set out in Tahles 21-25 in the
Appendix, in which the number of cases removed to hospital and the
number of deaths in the district from these diseases are also given.
It will be seen by reference to the statistics referred to that measles
showed a considerably higher incidence in Barnes than in the country
as a whole. This high incidence is no doubt largely accounted for by
the fact that there had been few cases of measles during the previous
three years and consequently there were more children susceptible to
this infection.
None of the cases of diphtheria occurring during the year had
received a course of immunising injections.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION.
In October, 1942, a six weeks' propaganda scheme was initiated in
an endeavour to secure the immunisation of as many children as possible
between the ages of 1 and 15 years. The campaign included the use
of banners, press advertising, posters, pamphlets and word-of mouth
publicity by ministers of religion, organisations, etc.
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST WHOOPING COUGH.
In December, 1941, the Council adopted a scheme for the free
inoculation against whooping cough of the following groups of children
(a) aged 6 months to 5 years; (b) definite or suspected contacts of any
age.
The inoculation consists of four injections, followed by a fifth
injection in the case of children under five years shortly before they
attend school, or, at any time, if a child is known to have come into
contact with a case of whooping cough.
It was decided to commence the inoculations in the first instance
among the children attending the two Borough War-Time Day
Nurseries. At the end of the year 34 of the children attending were
receiving these protective injections.
LOUSE-BORNE TYPHUS FEVER.
In May, 1942 a scheme for the hospital treatment of Typhus Fever
was instituted in the County of Surrey, the Borough of Barnes being
one of the Authorities co-operating.
Arrangements were also made for the cleansing and isolation of
contacts of patients and for the disinfestation of bedding and household
effects. For this purpose a team of seven members of the Public
Health Department staff (including members of the staff at the Hospital)
have been equipped with the necessary protective clothing, and such
other precautionary measures have been taken in order that the scheme
may be put into immediate operation, should the necessity arise.