View report page

63
There were 70 cases of influenzal pneumonia notified during the
year as compared with 196 in 1922 and 86 in 1921. The death-rate
was 0.10 as compared with 0.40 in 1922.
Diarrhœa.
The great decline which has taken place in recent years in the
prevalence of acute infective diarrhoea was again evident in 1923.
The total number of deaths registered from diarrhoea in Battersea in
1923 was 32, giving a fatality-rate of 0.19 per 1,000 of the population.
The factors concerned in the great decrease in mortality from
acute infective enteritis or summer diarrhoea of infants have been
discussed in previous Annual Reports. It is satisfactory to note,
however, that the decrease has been maintained.
MEASLES AND WHOOPING-COUGH.
Measles.
There was a considerable decline in the incidence of measles
during 1923 as compared with the preceding year. This disease and
whooping-cough continue to remain compulsorily notifiable in the
Borough under Regulations issued by the Ministry of Health dated
8th April, 1922, the Battersea (Measles and Whooping Cough) Regulations,
1922.
During 1923, 1,688 cases were notified or otherwise reported
to the Medical Officer of Health. The incidence of the disease as
measured by these notified and reported cases was equivalent to a
rate of 55 cases in every 1,000 of the population under 10 years of
age.
In the previous year 3,060 cases were notified or otherwise
reported.
Of the cases notified or reported during 1923, 1,319, or 78 per
cent, were notified under the Regulations, as compared with 1,496
cases, or 49 per cent, in 1922. It will be noted, therefore, that the
obligation of notification is being observed. There were 369
cases or 22 per cent, of the total cases reported from the public
elementary schools and other sources.
The deaths from measles during the year were 24, giving a total
mortality-rate at all ages of 0.14, as compared with 66 deaths and a
mortality-rate of 0.39 in 1922.
The disease was most prevalent during the fourth quarter, 22 of
the 24 deaths occurring in that period of the year. The fatal cases
occurred amongst children under 5 years.
The special precautionary measures carried out included visits
by the Health Visitors to the homes of all cases notified; securing
of such isolation as is practicable; advice to the mothers as to the