London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Carshalton 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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TABLE 11.
SCARLET FEVER—MULTIPLE CASES, 1952.
| Ward. | No. of houses in which occurred. | Total Houses. | Total Cases. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Case. | 2 Cases. | 3 Cases. | |||
| St. Helier North | 31 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 40 |
| St. Helier South | 6 | 1 | - | 7 | 8 |
| St. Helier West | 20 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 25 |
| North-East | 8 | - | - | 8 | 8 |
| North-West | 15 | 1 | - | 16 | 17 |
| Central | 5 | 1 | - | 6 | 7 |
| South-East | 10 | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| South-West | 6 | 1 | — | 7 | 8 |
| Whole District | 101 | 8 | 2 | 111 | 123 |
Diphtheria
The dramatic fall in the prevalence of diphtheria which followed the
introduction of diphtheria immunisation has now culminated in a
complete absence of this infection from the district for the last three
years. However, the limited but severe outbreaks which still occur from
time to time in different parts of the country serve to remind us that the
infection has not been completely removed from our midst and that only
the maintenance of a high level of immunisation can guarantee security
from what is a killing disease.
Diphtheria Immunisation
In the absence of cases of diphtheria it is naturally becoming more
and more difficult to maintain the same high level of artificially induced
immunity which we have experienced in the past. The crucial test of our
efforts in this direction is the proportion of children immunised during
their pre-school life. This percentage continues to fall steadily although
much of the leeway is made up after entry to school, since many parents
defer accepting this protection for their children until they are faced
with the added risks of school life. This is a short-sighted policy since,
should an outbreak of diphtheria occur, it is the youngest age groups
who aie most likely to succumb and fatality from this infection is the
highest in the second year of life.
The scheme of immunisation is the responsibility of the County
Council, but by agreement between the two authorities it is directed in
each sanitary district by the local Medical Officer of Health. Facilities
are available at the Infant Welfare and School Clinics and a regular
programme of immunising sessions is held in the Infant and Junior
Departments of the schools every alternate term. The object is to secure
primary immunisation by the end of the first year and to reinforce that
treatment at three-year intervals until the child passes out of the Primary
School group. A.P.T. antigen is used for primary treatment in two doses
of 0.5 c.c. at one month's interval, whilst 1 c.c. doses of T.A.F. are usually
given for reinforcing injections.
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