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analyses these causes. The rate of 20.09 is very much higher than the
lowest rate recorded in 1958 at 7.50. In 1937 the death rate of infants
under one year of age was 58.23 per 1,000 live births. Here again, the
development of services for the care of young infants has proved its worth
in achieving a great reduction.
The incidence of infectious disease generally throughout the year, has
been low, measles giving the highest figure with 343 notified cases.
Scarlet fever with 13 notified cases is next in order of incidence and
this is considerably lower than the previous year, when 61 cases were
recorded. In 1937 65 cases of scarlet fever were notified. No deaths from
the disease occurred, but in 1936 one child died. The principal comment to
make in comparing scarlet fever in 1937 with 1961 concerns the character
of the disease. Over the years, scarlet fever has become very mild and has
no significance now as a cause of death. This is illustrated by the fact that
in 1937 it was found necessary to remove 59 cases to hospital for nursing
out of 65 notified. In the year under review of 13 cases notified only 5
were removed to hospital and no person died from the disease.
For the thirteenth year in this Borough there were no cases of
diphtheria notified. Probably one of the most striking results seen in the
past 25 years in the prevention of infectious disease and particularly in
the post-war period, has been the successful immunisation of children
against diphtheria. In 1937, when your Medical Officer first took up his
duties in the district, immunisation against diphtheria was introduced.
The relevant extract from the report of that year reads as follows:—
"The Council in May approved a scheme of immunisation whereby
patients could be treated by the Medical Officer of Health at his Town
Hall premises, free of charge.
Such treatment was commenced in November, when the laboratory
facilities became available.
No cases completed their treatment during the year under review, but
at the end of the year 12 patients were attending and will be reported on
in 1938."
At the end of 1961 5,699 children out of a total of 6,300 were known
to be immunised, giving a percentage of children immunised of 90.3 of
the child population. Immunisation against this disease will continue to
occupy a large place in the work of the Department, both in children
attending Infant Welfare Centres and schools in the Borough. It is understood
that the Minister of Health will introduce in 1962 a new drive for
immunisation against this disease, particularly aimed at those Boroughs
showing a poor response.
Seven cases of whooping cough were notified. It is felt that the attention
of parents should again be drawn to the need for immunisation against
whooping cough. In 1937 no method of immunising against whooping
cough was available. Over the last few years, however, whooping cough
vaccination has reached a high standard of reliability. Nowadays, all
children presented for immunisation against diphtheria are also offered
in the one injection immunisation against whooping cough and tetanus.
As a result, the number of cases of whooping cough has steadily declined
and the severity of this illness when it does occur is considerably reduced.
It is pleasing to record that during the year no case of poliomyelitis
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