[Report 1960] / Medical Officer of Health, Northampton County Borough.

Prevalence of, and control over, Infectious and other Diseases (continued) Dysentery. 191 cases of dysentery were notified, compared with 153 in 1959. 190 were stated to be Sonne dysentery, and 1 was Shigella dysentery. Generally the most efficient control of this troublesome complaint is the “ clean hands campaign.” Propaganda pamphlets are available and have been distributed freely as necessary. Erysipelas. 3 3 cases of erysipelas were notified. The local attack- rate was 0T3. Smallpox. No smallpox contacts were under surveillance in North¬ ampton County Borough. Vaccination against Smallpox. Under the arrangements in accordance with the National Health Service there were 554 vaccinations (including 326 under one year of age) and 175 re-vaccinations. No cases were specially reported of generalised vaccinia or post-vaccinal encephalo¬ myelitis, nor were there any deaths from other complications of vaccin¬ ation. 266 of the children mentioned in the previous paragraph were vaccinated at the clinic held at St. Giles’ Street Infant Welfare Centre. Scarlet Fever. 100 notifications of scarlet fever were received. The local attack-rate was 0’98. Diphtheria. No cases of diphtheria were notified. There have been only two cases during the last eleven years and the last diphtheria death occurred in 1946. Immunisation against Diphtheria. The number of children under five years of age immunised against diphtheria was 1,373; similarly, 44 children aged between five and fifteen were dealt with, making a total of 1,417 who completed the course. 567 children received reinforcing injections. There is record that 4,892 children under five years of age, of an estimated population of 7,400 in this age-group, had completed a full course of immunisation up to 31st December, 1960, equal to 66* 1 per cent. In the age-group five to fourteen years inclusive the number immunised was 11,483 out of an estimated population of 15,300 or 75T per cent. Total for all children under fifteen years of age: 16,375 immunised out of an estimated population of 22,300, a percentage of 73-4 (immunity index 37*3). The immunity index is the proportion of children who have had a course of immunisation within the last five years. Immunising material is available to general practitioners free of charge on application to the Health Office. Pneumonia. 18 notifications of primary or post-influenzal pneumonia were received. The local attack-rate was 0T8. 43 deaths were ascribed to pneumonia, giving a death-rate from this cause of 0-42.