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14
Remarks on Infectious Diseases.
Small-Pox.—No death was registered in either of the parishes
during the year. One case, however, was notified in St. John's
parish, at an eating house, and upon investigation the patient
was found to be a girl of seven years of age, whose parents had
both been very recently removed to the Small-pox hospital at
Dartford, and who resided in Flint-street, Walworth. Before
obtaining the removal of the patient, I, however, took the precaution
of vaccinating both her and her brother, and had the
remaining occupants of the house removed to the Vestry's rooms
at the Public Mortuary, whilst the place was thoroughly disinfected,
and the sale of refreshments stopped. The child
attended St. John's National School, Walworth, and an intimation
of the case was sent to the Medical Officer of Health for
Walworth. No further cases occurred in the parishes, but one
doubtful case was notified, which however proved to be one of
Papular Syphilide.
Scarlet Fever.—From, this disease eight deaths were registered,
viz., six in St. John's parish and two in St. Margaret's. One
hundred and fifty-one cases were notified, 101 in St. John's
parish, and 50 in St. Margaret's. It will be seen on reference to
Table II. that the number of deaths was only eight compared
with twenty-five last year, and on reference to Table V. that the
number of cases notified during the same period was 410, against
151 this year. It will be interesting to note that five cases
occurred at the Newport Market Industrial School, Coburg-row.
A sharp look-out, however, was kept for any latent cases which
might have developed, and this was done with great success.
Whilst dealing with Scarlet Fever, it may here be well to state
that proceedings were instituted against a medical practitioner
for non-notification of a case in Victoria-street, with the result
that the Magistrate inflicted the full penalty of the law.
Diphtheria.—Twenty-two deaths occurred from this disease
against fourteen last year, this heading includes all cases of Membranous
Croup. The total number of cases notified in the parishes
was seventy-two, compared with eighty-two last year. Great care
has been taken to examine and enquire into every case with
special attention as to school attendance, and forms for the purpose
were printed, and as eases occurred, these were filled up and
sent to the Medical Officer of Health of the London County
Council, who issued a memorandum upon the increase of this
disease in London in 1894. It is reasonable to believe that the
spread of the disease is largely due to school attendance; in fact
there has been a great increase in the mortality from this
disease in children between the ages of three and ten years,
since the Education Act came into operation in 1870.
A letter was also received from the Medical Officer of the School