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The case mortality of measles for 1919 was 1.3, as against 3.1 in 1918,
so that the type of disease appears to have been of a milder character than
in 1918.
The Woman Sanitary Inspector and the Health Visitor in the course
of the year made 552 visits to homes in connection with measles cases.
In accordance with the arrangement made with the Chelsea District
Nursing Association, 594 visits were made by the Association's nurses to
48 families who had a child or children ill with measles. The average
number of visits per family was 12, the same as in 1918. In 1918, 561
visits were made by nurses to measles cases. Eighty-eight cases of measles
and German measles were removed to hospitals.
In accordance with the Rescission Order of the Ministry of Health
of the 31st December, 1919, the compulsory notification of measles and
German measles ceased on the 31st January, 1920.
Scarlet Fever.
During the year 148 cases of scarlet fever were notified in Chelsea, as
against 67 in 1918. There were 4 deaths from this disease, the case
mortality being 2.7 per cent; 92 per cent. of the cases were removed to
hospital. The disease was very little prevalent until the autumn, 85 out
of the 148 cases being notified in the last 3 months of the year, i.e., 60 per
cent. of the total for the year. In December, 36 cases were notified, and
during this month there was considerable delay in certain cases in getting
the patients removed to the M.A.B. hospitals. The percentage of cases
of school age (3 to 13 years) was 77, as against 78 in 1918.
Diphtheria.
During the year 71 cases of diphtheria were notified in Chelsea, as
compared with 47 in 1918. The disease caused 7 deaths in 1919, the case
mortality being 9.9 per cent., as compared with 10.6 per cent. in 1918;
92 per cent. of the cases were removed to hospital. The percentage of
cases of school age (3 to 13 years) was 70, as against 53 in 1918. The
months of greatest prevalence were June, 16 cases, and December, 12
cases.
During the year medical practitioners sent 68 throat or nose swabbings
to the Lister Institute for bacterioscopic diagnosis, as compared with 101 in
1918. Of the 68 specimens, 14, or 21 per cent., afforded positive evidence
of the diphtheria bacillus, and 54, or 79 per cent., were negative. Of the
total 68 specimens, 32 were sent by the Victoria Hospital in respect of
Chelsea Children.