View report page

Erysipelas
Two cases of this skin infection were notified in middle aged women.
The arm was the site affected in one the neck in the other. This infection
is another of those which respond well to the new drugs and many cases
are undoubtedly aborted by chemotherapy in the early clinical stages.
Pneumonia
Cases of pneumonia, secondary to other conditions, are not notifiable
only the primary and influenzal types being included among the notifiable
diseases. The number of such notifications is a fairly reliable indication
of the extent to which respiratory infection occurs in the district, particularly
during the winter months, periods when coughs, bronchitis and
influenza are prevalent being always accompanied by a rise in the notifications
of pneumonia. As in 1960 the winter months of 1961 were particularly
mild and in the absence of any marked influenza epidemic, it is not
surprising that the incidence of pneumonia was again low at only 15
cases, 3 of which were stated to be of influenzal origin. Pneumonia
usually affects the extremes of life, the very young and the old, but it is
interesting to note that all cases in 1961 were adults, a fact which does
credit to the standard of infant care.
Measles
The long established biennial rhythm in the prevalence of measles in
the greater London area continues. The year 1960 had only 67 cases,
hence an epidemic in 1961 was, in conformity with pattern, to be expected.
This duly materialised in the first 6 months and a total of 811 notifications
was received during the year. There were no deaths.
This yearly alternation in prevalence is shown by the following
figures of cases in the last 8 years:—
1954 173 1958 83
1955 1138 1959 973
1956 326 1960 67
1957 684 1961 811