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10
There is little doubt that this remarkable low diphtheria
rate is the direct result of the high proportion of immunised
children in the district. The lowness of the rate,
however, is a danger in itself because already there are
signs that, with a relative absence of diphtheria, parents
are beginning to get slack, and are not bringing their
younger children forward for immunisation with the regularity
which is desirable. No opportunity should be lost
in urging parents that every child should be immunised
as soon as possible after its first birthday as by this means
it is within our power virtually to suppress diphtheria as
a killing disease in children.
At the end of the year it was estimated that of the
children living in the district age 1-5, 68 per cent, have
been immunised, and of children age 5-15, 75 per cent,
have been immunised. As children are not immunised
before their first birthday, 80 per cent, is the maximum
possible in the earlier age group. The total number of
children immunised during the year was 979.

CEREBROSPINAL FEVER.
Only two cases of meningoccal meningitis were notified,
the lowest number since 1939. Both cases recovered.
An additional fatal case occurred in a child living temporarily
outside the district.