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rate was 0.84 per thousand of population compared with 2,07 per
thousand of population in England and Wales. There was no death.
The general incidence was low. The highest prevalence was
in the East and South west Wards. Thirty two of the cases were
infants under five years of age and one was under one year.
The monthly incidence of notified cases is shown in the
following table.

Whooping Cough is a serious infection in infancy. There
is danger of mortality in young babies and weakly infants.
Every effort should be made to give protection by avoidance of
infection and by immunisation, injections of vaccine should be
commenced at the age of three months. infants should be immunised
or reinforced before they enter nursery school or day school.
The vaccine will prevent or modify the illness in a majority of
cases. During 1956 nine children who had received injections
of vaccine were notified as suffering from Whooping Cough.
Eight were assessed as slight and one as of moderate severity.
Spasmodic cough in an immunised child should arouse suspicion of
infection. Diagnosis can be assisted by the use of cough plates
or pharyngeal swabs.
immunisation against Whooping Cough. Immunisation against
Whooping Cough is available free of charge for children under
five years of age. either through the family doctor or at Child
Welfare Clinics. In 1956 eight hundred and eighty five children
received immunising injections.. The material used was H.
Pertussis suspended vaccine (20,000 million bacilli per c.c,).
Three injections of 1 c.c. are given at monthly intervals. The
injections are given subcutaneously. Two hundred and thirty
six children were given reinforcing injections during 1956.
Small Pox. No case was notified.
Vaccination against Small Pox. The speed of the aeroplane
has greatly increased the risk, of the introduction of Small Pox
into this country. Small Pox is a very serious illness. There
is no specific remedy. Vaccination is the only safeguard Every
baby should be vaccinated at the age of three to six months.
Vaccination in infancy provides a basic immunity which can be
reinforced later with reduced rislc of severe reaction. A service
is available free of charge through medical practitioners and
Child Welfare Clinics.
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