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Small-Pox.
48. Four cases of Small-pox, in two adjoining houses in West
Plumstead, were notified in July. All were removed to hospital,
and two of them died there. The source of infection was not
definitely traced, but it was probably connected in some way
with a case which occurred a short time previously at Gravesend.
Considering that these cases were not notified until the disease
was well advanced, it is a matter for congratulation that the
measures taken by Dr. Sidney Davies prevented any further
spread.
The Health Shelter has been maintained during the year, but
no contacts entered it during the period. The upper flat remains
let on a weekly tenancy of 8/-. Very little use has been made
of this Shelter since it was erected, and it seems desirable to
consider whether this building could not be devoted to a more
useful purpose than at present.
No contacts of Small-pox were vaccinated by your Medical
Officer during the year in accordance with the Public Health
(Small-pox Prevention) Regulations, 1917, but 18 contacts were
re-vaccinated by the Public Vaccinator.
Twenty-one contacts of Small-pox, notified as such by Medical
Officers of other authorities, were kept under observation for the
necessary period during the year.
Measles.
49. Notification Statistics. The number of notifications of
measles received during the year was 1,886. Of these notifications
1,214 were by medical practitioners, 487 were by school
teachers, 157 were by parents, and 28 were from various other
sources.
On the certification of your Medical Officer, two were removed
to hospital, as compared with 12 in 1918, and 45 in 1917.