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WHOOPING COUGH.—This condition was made notifiable in 1940. As shown below the
mortality has shown a marked and steady fall: —
Death Rale from Whooping Cough
per 100,000 population
1901-05 (average) 31.3
1906-10 (average) 25.7
1911-15 (average) 17.7
1916-20 (average) 11.9
1921-25 (average) 8.4
1926-30 (average) 5.1
1931-35 (average) 3.6
1936-40 (average) 2.0
1941-45 (average) 2.1
1946 Nil
This fall in mortality is no excuse for apathy as this distressing disease causes much ill-health in
children, and every care should be taken in nursing and to avoid spread of infection. Despite much
work on the subject no reliable vaccine is available for whooping cough prophylaxis.
MALARIA.—As mosquitoes capable of transmitting malaria are normally present in this country,
the possibility of spread on the return of members of the Forces from overseas has to be kept in mind.
The cases notified in recent years were recurrences in men who had been infected abroad, and no cases,
contracted in this country, were notified.
INFLUENZA.—Though some progress has been made in the laboratory diagnosis of some of
the upper respiratory diseases which cause so much illness each winter it is difficult to differentiate at
the bedside, and the more severe and fatal cases are generally diagnosed as influenza. Locally,
during the last eight years there has been no severs outbreak, though towards the end of 1945 the
general rise in the deaths from influenza caused some anxiety. The deaths locally from influenza have
varied from three (1942, 1945) to sixteen (1940, 1943, 1946).
MUMPS, CHICKEN POX, GERMAN MEASLES.—These diseases are not notifiable, but cases
are brought to the attention of the Department through schools, health visitors, etc. No unusual
prevalence has been recorded during the last eight years and no deaths occurred from these diseases.
The incidence of these diseases varies considerably from year to year, e.g. : mumps, 96 in 1940 and
1,038 in 1942; chicken pox, 180 in 1945 and 674 in 1942; german measles, 11 in 1946 and 1,037 in
1940.
FOOD POISONING.—No large outbreak of food poisoning has occurred during 1939-46. Several
small outbreaks in households, factories, etc., have been investigated, and though various foods have been
implicated, the offending organism in each case has been a toxin producing staphylococcus. This germ
is a frequent cause of septic sores, colds, etc., and may be found in the throat, nose or skin
of apparently healthy persons. The importance of strict personal hygiene on the part of all persons
responsible for the handling and cooking of food cannot be too strongly emphasised, as therein lies the
chief method of prevention of these outbreaks with their associated anxiety, distress, and sometimes
death.
FEVER HOSPITAL.—The Borough is served by the South Middlesex Infectious Diseases
Hospital which is provided by the Borough in conjunction with the Boroughs of Richmond and
Twickenham. During the war years part of the hospital was used by the Emergency Medical Service
as a general hospital for the admission of medical and surgical cases. The number of patients from
the Borough admitted as cases of infectious disease was as follows:—
1939 410
1940 453
1941 370
1942 248
1943 348
1944 223
1945 261
1946 208
DISINFECTION.—The disinfection of bedding, etc., is done at South Middlesex Infectious
Diseases Hospital by arrangement with the Hospital Joint Board. The disinfection of rooms is carried
out by the disinfectors on the Health Department staff. In October, 1946, the Council, after considering
a report on the subject, decided to stop terminal disinfection of rooms and bedding " except in cases
of smallpox or where the Medical Officer of Health considers such disinfection to be advisable." The
number of rooms disinfected during 1939-46 was as follows:—
1939 296
1940 286
1941 192
1942 255
1943 305
1944 206
1945 211
1946 143
HESTON AIRPORT.—Until 1940, when the airport passed to the control of the Royal Air Force,
the Council were responsible for the operation of the Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations, 1938, and
medical officers were appointed Medical Inspectors of Aliens. The following work was done during
1939:—
Visits to airport by medical officers 160
Aircraft inspected 144
Passengers inspected 1,757
Passengers examined 655
Passengers placed under surveillance 405
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