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47
A careful inquiry was made as to the source of infection in each
case. In four instances it was found that the patient had clearly been
infected outside Hampstead; one of these patients was infected in
Scotland, one in Surrey, one in Suffolk, and one in Bucks. One person
was infected from a previous case in the same house in Hampstead.
In the remaining instances the source of infection could not be
definitely traced.
Puerperal Fever.
5 cases were notified, 3 of which proved fatal, as compared with 6
cases and 4 deaths in 1908.
The ward distribution of the cases is as follows, 4 in No. 1 (Town),
and 1 in No. 6 (Kilburn). Four of the cases were removed to hospital.
Erysipelas,
29 cases were notified, and 1 death occurred, as compared with 33
cases and no deaths in 1908.
The attack rate per 1000 of the population was 0.31.
Of the cases notified, 2 or 7 per cent. were removed to hospital.
One patient was removed to the Hampstead Workhouse Infirmary,
and one to the Temperance Hospital.
Epidemic Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
This disease, which is popularly known as "Spotted Fever," was
made notifiable throughout London by an Order of the London County
Council in 1907, but neither in that year nor in 1908 was any case
notified in Hampstead. In 1909, however, 4 cases were notified, all of
which proved fatal. There is some difference of opinion whether this
disease is infectious, and at the present time the evidence seems mostly
in favour of the view that it is only infectious in a minor degree, if at all.
If the disease is communicable from one person to another, it is probable
that the infection is conveyed by some means that are yet unknown.
A careful enquiry was made into each case that occurred in Hampstead,
but in no case could any source of infection be discovered. Administratively,
the disease was dealt with as if it were infectious, and disinfection
was carried out after each case.