View report page

17
Section II.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Small-pox.—There were no cases of small-pox in Chelsea in 1913.
In London, during 1913, only 5 cases of the disease were notified, as compared
with 6 in 1912, and 73 in 1911. Of the five cases 2 were in Poplar,
1 in Shoreditch, 1 in Southwark, and 1 in Marylebone. There has not
been a case notified in London since the commencement of September.
Scarlet Fever.—In 1913, 199 cases of scarlet fever were notified in
Chelsea, equivalent to a case-rate of 30 per 10,000 of the population, as
against 19.3 in 1912. The number of cases notified in the first quarter of
the year was 18, in the second quarter 27, in the third quarter 74, and in
the fourth quarter 80. Scarlet fever prevalence in Chelsea commenced to
increase considerably early in June, and with but little intermission in
August, during the school holidays, maintained a very high level until the
end of the year. This prevalence in Chelsea formed part of a general
prevalence throughout nearly the whole of London, which set in towards
the end of August and continued to the end of the year. There was no
special school incidence of the disease attaching to any school or schools
in the Borough, but the prevalence was rather more marked in North
Chelsea (113 cases notified) than in South Chelsea (86 cases notified).
The disease was of very mild type, only 3 deaths from scarlet fever being
registered throughout the entire year, which gives a case mortality of
only 1.5 per cent. Knowledge was obtained of several missed cases of the
disease, which were not recognised or notified, but it is doubtful if these
cases had really much influence in causing the spread of infection.
The percentage of cases of school age (3 to 13 years) of the total
number in the Borough was 76, as compared with 72 in 1912. The
average duration of the stay in hospital of 138 cases, of which the records
are to hand, was 55.4 days, as against 58.8 days in 1912. Only 3 cases
admitted to M.A.B. hospitals were subsequently certified by the Medical
Superintendents of the hospitals not to be suffering from scarlet fever or
any other notifiable disease. The duration of stay in hospital of one of
these cases was 22 days, the others not being given. One case on
discharge from hospital was stated to be still suffering from chronic
otorrhcea, as compared with 4 in 1912. There were no " return " cases
in 1913. There was some delay in the removal of cases to M.A.B.
hospitals late in the year, but all cases for whom applications were made
were eventually removed after short delays of 12 to 48 hours.
Diphtheria.—In 1913, 59 cases of diphtheria were notified in Chelsea,
equivalent to a case-rate of 8.9 per 10,000 of population, as compared with
13.6 in 1912. In the first quarter of the year 7 cases were notified, in