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36.
SECTION F
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
Diphtheria
There was no case of diphtheria in the borough during 1954.
It is now five years since the last case was confirmed. The
number of children being presented for immunisation remained
very satisfactory. The details are:-
Primary immunisations - under 5 years - 486
" " - 5 to 15 years - 109
Total - 595
Number receiving secondary or
reinforcing injections - 562
Scarlet Fever
A very marked reduction in the number of cases of scarlet
fever was noted, viz: 64 as against 168 in 1953.
For many years past the type of scarlet fever prevalent
generally throughout the country has been very mild and 1954 was
no exception to the usual pattern. Only 17% of the cases needed
admission to hospital.
The following statement shows the total cases notified and the
precentage removed to hospital during the last five years:-
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
Confirmed cases 62 81 181 168 64
Percentage removed to
hospital 65 48 47 37 17
Measles
A sharp reduction, amounting almost to 50%, was a feature of
the incidence of measles during the year, 195 cases being recorded
compared to 380 in the previous year. Only four cases were admitted
to hospital. No deaths occurred from this disease.
Measles serum was available to general practitioners on
application to the Public Health Laboratory at Colindale, for the
treatment of cases and the protection of contacts.
Whooping Cough
Although the number of cases of whooping cough fell from 181 in
1953 to 138 in 1954 it is too early yet to say whether this can be