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The steady and persistent fall since 1930 can be attributed only to immunisation. Since
immunisation was started in 1930 there have been 816 cases, and 58 deaths from diphtheria, and of these
23 and 1 respectively had been immunised. The progress of the immunisation scheme is shown on the
table overleaf. This disease can be kept under control only if parents will co-operate by having
their children protected. In 1946 there were 1,805 births and approximately that number of children
reached their first birthday in 1947, but only 728 were immunised. A much higher proportion of young
children must be protected and the future record of diphtheria will be a measure, not of the efficiency of
the Health Department, but of the intelligence and foresight of parents in the Borough.
Erysipelas.—Though 19 cases were notified no death was due to this disease.
Pneumonia.—There was a slight increase in the notification of pneumonia as compared with 1946.
The death rate per 1,000 population from pneumonia was 0.6 in 1930-34, in 1942-46 and in 1947. Of the
total pneumonia deaths 20 per cent, occurred at age 0-4 years and 55 per cent, at age 65 and over.
Cerebro-spinal Fever.—This disease was less prevalent than in 1946, but its incidence is still higher
than in the pre-war years. The sulphonamide drugs have greatly reduced the mortality from this disease.
Epidemic Encephalitis.—No case or death from epidemic encephalitis occurred during 1947.
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