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The controlled trial of whooping cough immunisation in collaboration with the Medical
Research Council continued throughout the year. Active inoculation of volunteers proceeded
until May, by which time some 1,500 children had received the treatment. The follow«-up of
these children, to see how they fared in relation to whooping cough, is expected to last
several months at least and the final results of the trial will not be available until some
time after that is completed0 In the meanwhile the Council decided to offer combined
immunisation against whooping cough and diphtheria to take its place, pending a reconsideration
of policy in the light of the eventual results of the trial* A scheme was being worked
out to implement this decision at the end of the year*
CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER. There were 3 cases of cerebro-spinal fever notified during the
year, of which 1 patient died.
ACUTE POLIOMYELITISo Thirty-seven cases occurred during the year compared with 6 in
19^8 - males 24 and females 13. The case rate was 0.21 per 1,000 of the population. Nine of
the cases showed no paralysis (abortive); fourteen showed a slight or very slight degree of
paralysis; seven showed a moderate degree of paralysis, and seven cases were severe.

ACUTE POLIO-ENCEPHALITIS. There were two cases of this disease during the year, giving
a case rate of 0.02 per 1,000 of the population. One of these, a child of 2 years, died.
TYPHOID AND PARA-TYPHOID FEVERS. There were no cases during the year.
ACUTE ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA. There was one case of this disease - a girl of 16 years,
who died during the year0
ERYSIPELASo The number of cases of this disease notified during the year was 31
(12 males and 19 females) giving a case rate of 0.l8 per 1,000 of the population.
DYSENTERY. There were 25 cases of this disease notified during the year (9 males
and l6 females), giving a case rate of 0.14 per 1,000 of the population.
DIARRHOEA AND ENTERITIS. During the year the number of deaths from this disease was
3 (all in children under one year of age). The death rate was 0.9 per 1,000 live births.
PNEUMONIA. There were 195 cases (110 males and 85 females) of pneumonia - primary
and influenzal, during the year giving a case rate of 1,12 per 1,000 of the population. There
number of deaths from all forms of pneumonia was 95, giving a death rate of 0.55 per 1,000
of the population.
PUERPERAL PYREXIAo The number of cases occurring during the year was *+80
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM. There were 11 cases of this disease during the year.
FOOD POISONING - see under "F00D" - page 14.
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