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40
It is my earnest hope that such a prophylactic will be produced
reasonably soon. Of the common infectious diseases, Whooping
Cough is perhaps the most distressing of all, both for the patient and
the parent; nearly one thousand children die in England from this
disease each year and the general health of thousands of others is
seriously affected.

Figures in the above table include children and adults treated
for verminous conditions at the Health Centre, Windham Road.
Scabies, in particular, increases rapidly in time of war; most of
the fresh cases being traceable to members of the Armed Forces returning
home on leave or after demobilisation. This trend is clearly
seen in the table and it is very satisfactory to note that a very low
level has been maintained in 1949.
Infestation by head lice is not affected in quite the same way as
it is not so contagious as scabies. The incidence is influenced by
overcrowded housing, and by personal cleanliness. Whereas scabies,
if neglected, becomes so distressing that treatment is demanded, infestation
by head lice, inefficiently controlled, can be tolerated for months
or years.
A high proportion of the cases reported fall into this category.
Inspections in the schools are frequent, and materials used for
treatment are efficient. Unfortunately, time and again, cleansed
children become re-infested in their houses; education in this respect
is a slow process.