London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Wandsworth 1902
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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51
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Special enquiry was made in all cases of Chicken-pox notified
as occurring in persons over 15 years of age, as that disease is rare
in adult life.
Monthly Totals of Cases of Chicken-pox at Various
Ages.
| Ages. | Months:— | Total. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 7 to Mar. 7. | Mar. 7 to April 7. | April 7 to May 7. | May 7 to June 7. | June 7 to July 7. | July 7 to Aug. 7. | Aug. 7 to Sep. 7. | ||
| 5 to 10 | ||||||||
Out of the total cases notified at all ages, only four cases
proved to be Small-pox. Two of these would certainly have been
diagnosed as Small-pox within a day or two of their being notified
as Chicken-pox, but two would in all probability have escaped
notice until a secondary group of cases arose. Fortunately I was
personally able to visit all four cases and diagnose Small-pox in
time to prevent any further spread.
Examination of Children in Public Schools.
On examining the returns of the Vaccination Officers it was
found that some parts of the Borough showed a higher proportion
of unvaccinated children than others, and I advised that in those
parts the examination of the arms of children in schools would be
advantageous. The examination was carried out in 20 schools,
and the result is contained in a special report made to the Council
on March 24th, 1902, and which is appended to the Report.