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ously that they are brought to our notice. There is a great
deal of evidence that minor manifestations of infection by these
organisms are widespread and frequent. Nor is this to be
wondered at when we reflect on the present quality of food
hygiene. The present methods of distribution and sale of our
food leaves much to be desired. War conditions arrested the
progress we had made prior to 1939 in this important health
factor and we have not really begun to regain the ground we
have lost since that time. We recognise that shortages in many
materials necessary effectively to protect our food in distribution
are a serious handicap, but we should be on the alert
against these excuses being perpetuated and serving to mask
the real obstruction, a reluctance to go to the additional trouble
and expense involved in providing protective measures. In
terms of pounds, shillings and penee even, it may well be that
the cost of the consequent sickness is more than would be
required to supply the remedy. We are very much behind
some other countries in regard to these matters.
Scarlet Fever. For the past three years Scarlet Fever has
had a fairly constant incidence from about 100 to 130 cases.
There were 127 cases in the year 1946, thirteen more than in
the previous year. The disease maintains its now characteristic
mildness and there is growing doubt as to the need for, or the
wisdom of, hospitalisation. One argument put forward for the
continuation of the practice of sending these cases to hospital
is that the public have come to accept that as the proper
procedure, and if we succeeded in persuading them now that
it is not necessary or advisable and the character of the disease
suddenly changed, as we know it might do, and assumed its
old viciousness, we should have to start all over again teaching
the need for hospitalisation of this disease.
Diphtheria. There were 9 cases of Diphtheria during the
year with no deaths. This is only one more than in 1934,
when there were 8 cases, the lowest figure ever recorded.
Measles. Although 1946 was not properly an epidemic
year for measles, there were 568 cases. The disease generally
was mild in character and there were no deaths. Whether the
freedom from severe complications and permanent damage of
present day measles is due to modification of the disease, or
improved resistance in the present day child, is a matter for
speculation, but the annual incidence of such a large number
of cases must improve the herd immunity of our child
population.
Whooping Cough. During the year this disease assumed
epidemic proportions and the cases totalled 238. This is the
highest number since 1943. Happily the local mortality from
60