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99
paratively rare. In Greenwich in 1901 some eleven eases were
notified and 3 deaths ensued. The following year, 1902, saw 100
cases notified with 22 deaths but this proved to bo the last of the
smallpox deaths in the Borough, the present year being the 48th
since one was recorded.
Since 1902 however, only 71 cases have been notified, 55 of
which occurred during the three year period 1930-1932.
Not one single case has been recorded since 1932.
Public Health (Smallpox Prevention) Regulations, 1917.—These
Regulations give a Medical Officer of Health power to vaccinate or
re-vaccinate, without charge, any contacts of a case of smallpox
willing to submit themselves for treatment.
During the year and by request of the parties concerned, vaccination
was carried out in respect of 2 people who travelled by plane
from Basle (Switzerland) in company with a Swiss who subsequently
became a smallpox suspect. No information is available as to
whether the suspected case was eventually confirmed and no untoward
results have been recorded concerning the incident.
International Certificates (Ministry of Health Circular 60/48).—
Persons proceeding abroad are required in respect of certain countries,
to produce evidence of recent successful vaccination. Signatures
to such certificates are not accepted by the countries concerned
unless certified by the Medical Officer of Health as those of doctors
practising within the area.
During the year some 25 certificates were so authenticated and
in 4 of these instances the necessary vaccinations were actually
carried out by your Medical Officer of Health.
Measles.—Primarily 934 cases of this disease were notified,
one of which was not confirmed. Subsequently two cases of Scarlet
Fever were re-diagnosed as Measles, thus giving a final figure of
935, compared with 789 for the previous year and 928 for 1948. The
distribution of the cases was as follows:—East Greenwich 382: West
Greenwich 157; St. Nicholas, Deptford46: Charlton and Kidbrooke 350.
Twenty-two cases occurred in children under one year of age,
429 between 1 and 5 years, and 479 between the ages of 5 and 15.
The outbreak began towards the end of October and at the close
of the year the incidence was continuing at a very high level.
Thirty-one cases were removed to Hospital but there were no
fatalities.