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9
Three cases of anthrax were notified during the year, one in the borough of
Lewisham and two in the borough of Southwark.
The case in Lewisham was a male aged 43, who was employed as a general
labourer in the London docks, where he handled dry cow hides from Indo-China
which were being re-shipped to Quebec. The source of infection was attributed to
these hides. The site of the disease was the face. The patient was admitted to
Lewisham hospital and made a satisfactory recovery.
The first case in Southwark was a woman aged 29, who was employed in brush
making and handled imported hogs' bristles. The source of infection was,
however, not established. The site of the disease was the left arm. The patient
was admitted to Guy's hospital, and made a satisfactory recovery.
The source of infection of the other case in Southwark, a male aged 48 years,
was attributed to horse hair handled in the course of employment. The site of the
disease was the forehead. The patient was removed to Guy's hospital. He also
made a complete recovery. The horse hair was part of a consignment imported
from China in 1931 and distributed to various dealers. The remaining stock of hair
held by the man's employers was bacteriologically examined by the medical officer of
health of Deptford, was found to contain anthrax bacilli and was destroyed. Owing
to the lapse of time between the importation of the hair and the occurrence of the
case of anthrax it was impossible to trace the other dealers to whom the consignment
was distributed.
Anthrax.

Smallpox.

The practice of treating mild cases of smallpox at home, if the borough medical
officers of health consider that the home conditions justify this course, has continued.
During the year 25 notified cases of smallpox were treated in their homes.