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7
PREVALENCE OF AND CONTROL OVER
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
SCARLET FEVER.
The incidence of scarlet fever was unusually low,
only twenty-three cases being notified, a rate of 0.67 per
1,000 population. Fifteen cases were treated in hospital
and eight at home. Only one instance of "return case"
infection occurred.
DIPHTHERIA.
The diphtheria incidence remained on a low level,
seven cases being notified, a rate of 0.20 per 1,000
population. Of these three were military cases. No case
occurred in a child who had been previously immunised.
One child did not recover.
As a result of increased publicity given to diphtheria
through the Press, cinema, and by broadcasting, there was
a considerably increased public demand for immunisation.
In the beginning of the year by co-operation with the
County Council Medical Staff all the schools were visited
and a large number of children were immunised. In
addition the numbers attending the fixed clinics were
considerably increased, and this popularity continued,
although diminishing somewhat, throughout the year.
This is a good example of the value of the radio in putting
over health propaganda on a national scale. One talk
can produce better results than years of local effort.
I believe that the most important if not the only worth
while approaches to health teaching are through the
schools, the public cinemas, and the radio.
The following statistics refer to immunisation
carried out during the year:—
Number of eases completing treatment during
the year (pre-school children 449,
school children 888) 1,337
Number of cases treated by private doctors
under the Council's scheme 100