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Typhoid fever.—The cases of this disease were 14 ; 3 being cases of
Paratyphoid B. Nine of the persons affected were infected elsewhere
before coming to Westminster. In three cases there was a history that
the patients had eaten watercress. In two, no probable source of
infection was found.
There were two deaths.
Measles.—Notices were received from schools of 563 children suffering
or suspected to be suffering from Measles. Of these, 8 were found to be
ill from other complaints. Most of the schools notify fairly promptly,
but with a few there is frequently considerable delay, so much so in some
instances that when the Health Visitor calls, she finds that the child has
recovered. Some improvement to ensure more prompt notification is
necessary if visiting is to be of any use. At present the delay appears to
be caused through intimation having to be given first to the school attendance
officer and then waiting until he reports. A scheme has been adopted
by the Education Authority with the intention of expediting notification
by which when a school is specially affected with measles, a nurse will be
detailed to visit the school daily to examine the children. Doctors and
parents notified 40 cases, and 72 others were found by the Visitors visiting
other cases. Information was also received of 36 adult cases moved to
hospital or nursing homes, 18 being from hotels or clubs.
There were also 45 cases of Rubella (Rose rash or German measles),
mostly in children.
The total cases of both diseases numbered 748, of whom 669 were
children under 15 years of age. Of the latter, 38 were admitted to hospital
or infirmary.
Visits were paid to 421 houses in which children were ill—frequently
there were several ill in one house. The total visits paid by the Health
Visitors were 718.
Nurses were called in to assist in 32 instances, and paid 4 74 visits
No doctors attended in 161 cases.
Deaths occurred in 10 instances. The ages were : under 5 years, 8 ;
between 5 and 15, 1 ; and over 45, 1.
During the months of February and March, unprotected children
were excluded from the Infants' Departments of the following schools :—
Holy Trinity, St. Anne's, Millbank, St. Martin's, St. Margaret's, St.
Mary's Hide Place, and Brompton (C. of E.)
Diarrhoea and Enteritis.—27 deaths occurred—only a few of the
deaths being from the acute form of enteritis which occurs during the