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Puerperal Pyrexia
In June, 1956, two cases of puerperal pyrexia due to the organism B. haemolytic
streptococcus Group A, occurred at Chiswick Maternity Hospital. A further
seven cases occurred in July. The organism was readily susceptible to penicillin
treatment and although the mothers affected by the illness ran high
temperature, this did not last for more than 24 hours.
Measures were taken in an endeavour to limit the extent of the outbreak.
All medical, nursing and other staff had throat and nose swabs taken, and the
mothers and babies in the hospital were also investigated. All showing positive
results, whetherwith symptoms or not, were isolated and treated Eight members
of the staff were found to be carriers of the organism, and eleven of the infants
had the infective streptococcus in the umbilical stumps.
In spite of all precautions, cases were still occurring and it was decided,
therefore, that the Chiswick Maternity Hospital should be closed and no further
cases were admitted after 12th September The hospital was emptied by 20th
September, cleaned throughout, and on 25th September, the whole of the staff
was re-swabbed. The hospital re-opened for patients on 1st October, and those
carriers remaining amongst the staff were excluded until free from streptococcal
infection.
The original carrier, who may have been one of the nursing staff, a patient
or a visitor, could not be traced owing to the rapid development of the infection.
There is no doubt that the energetic measures taken, although in fact
they were not taken at an early enough stage, prevented this outbreak from being
a much more dangerous and widely spread epidemic, and indeed no serious illness
on the part of any one and no deaths were occasioned by the infection in this
outbreak.
Smallpox
During the year no cases of smallpox occurred in the Borough, nor were
there any contacts of confirmed cases Notification of smallpox contacts is
always received as soon as, or before they enter the district.
Vaccination against Smallpox

Total number of first vaccinations
1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956
298 373 548 487 438 418
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