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Whooping Cough.— Whooping Cough was prevalent
throughout the year. Three hundred and thirtyone
cases were notified, of which fifty-five cases were
from institutions. There were three deaths from
pneumonic complications. The notifications were
evenly distributed but slightly higher in April and
November.
Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total
23 21 27 41 27 21 27 25 21 24 43 31 331
Of the 276 district cases, 153, or 55%, were children
under 5 years, and of these 16 were under 1 year of
age. This suggests that the spread of infection was
more prevalent in the houses and in the streets than
in the schools. The disease is very infectious and the
safeguarding of young infants is a primary consideration
in the prevention of mortality. Patients suffering
from Whooping Cough should be regarded as infectious
for a period of six weeks. Control over the
infected patient must be rigid if younger children are
to be saved from infection., Fresh air is essential
during convalescence, but the taking of fresh air must
exclude possible contact with other children and
parents should not permit convalescent but infectious
children to play in the streets with young susceptible
children.
Puerperal Pyrexia.— Eight cases of Puerperal
Pyrexia were notified during the year. The case rate
was 8.97 per 1,000 total births compared with 11.91
per 1,000 total births for England and Wales.
The early notification of cases of Puerperal Pyrexia
is of primary importance in the prevention of maternal
mortality. Medical practitioners should make the
fullest use of the consultant, bacteriological and
hospital service provided by the Authority and secure
the immediate and effective isolation of any suspected
cases occurring in maternity homes.
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