View report page

The memory of the public of the ravages of diphtheria is fading, but is alive to the distressing
features of poliomyelitis. The sure safeguard against diphtheria should not be lightly abandoned because
of a possible connection with a disease of whose origin, spread and control so little is known.
Erysipelas.—Though 26 cases were notified no death was due to this disease.
Pneumonia.—There was a slight increase in the notifications of pneumonia when compared with
1948. The death rate from pneumonia per 1,000 population was 0.5 as compared with 0.4 in 1948 and 0.6
in 1947. Of the total pneumonia deaths 11 per cent. occurred at age 0-4 years and 75 per cent. at age
65 years and over.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.—Only 2 cases of meningococcal infection were notified during the year.
The sulphonamide drugs have reduced greatly the mortality from this infection.
Epidemic Encephalitis.—No cases were notified during the year but two deaths were certified
as due to this disease.
Poliomyelitis and Polioencephalitis.—These names describe two types of infection by the same
virus; in the former the spinal cord is affected and in the latter the brain bears the brunt of the infection.
This disease was less prevalent in 1949 than in 1947 and 1948. One case, a patient in West Middlesex
Hospital, was not a Borough resident. Of the 13 Borough cases 1 died, 5 made a complete recovery and
the remaining 7 were transferred to orthopaedic hospitals or clinics according to the degree of residual
paralysis. In none of these 14 cases was there a history of any inoculation within one month of the onset
of poliomyelitis.
No closure was adopted of schools, swimming baths, children's cinema, etc., with a view to controlling
the spread of infection.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fevers.—No case of these diseases was recorded during 1949.
Dysentery.—Though dysentery is becoming more prevalent in the country generally only 2 cases
were notified in the Borough during 1949. The possibility of this infection should be borne in mind in all
cases of diarrhoea and on the least suspicion a specimen of faeces should be sent off for bacteriological
examination.

The number of cases of tuberculosis on the Borough register at 31st December, 1949, was
The high incidence of tuberculosis in the age group 15-34 years (see Table V) is of great national
concern and there is urgent need for the provision of adequate facilities for treatment.
8