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30 ADMINISTRATION.
Chickenpox.—Notification was required of this disease for short periods in 1915 and
1918, in consequence of threatened prevalence of smallpox. During 1909-13, 2,448 cases
were recorded, as compared with 2,858 during 1914-18. The annual averages were 490 for
the former period and 572 for the latter. The Index Numbers for 1914-18 (Averages, 190913=100)
are—
1st Quarter 134; 2nd Quarter 153; 3rd Quarter 100; 4th Quarter 72; Year 117
Mumps.—The total cases recorded during the two quinquennial periods were —1909-13,
1,256; 1914-18, 1,474; and the annual averages, 251, 295. The Index Numbers for 1914-18
are—
1st Quarter 109; 2nd Quarter 139; 3rd Quarter 189; 4th Quarter 94; Year 117
Ringworm.—The reported cases are almost exclusively those with the disease in the
head (scalp). The numbers will varv with the amount of inspection carried out by School
Medical Officers and Nurses. During the war this work was naturally somewhat restricted.
The cases during 1909-13 aggregated 858. and during the war (1914-18), 701, the
annual averages for the two periods being 172 and 140. The Index Numbers for 1914-18
are—
1st Quarter 97; 2nd Quarter 102; 3rd Quarter 69; 4th Quarter . 54; Year 82
B. ADMINISTRATION.
I.—GENERAL.
Staff of the Department.—This report on the activities of the Staff being mainly
statistical and involving comparisons with the work accomplished during years anterior to
1914, some record of the officers called away to the Forces or munition works and of the special
duties imposed on those left behind, is essential to a proper appreciation of such comparisons.
Moreover, in addition to the difficulties consequent on the shortage of labour and materials,
there was undoubtedly a general loss of capacity for work (not limited to any one section
of the population), arising from the air raids and food shortage, which cannot be ignored in
comparing the war period with normal years.
InspectorsMr. S. W. Wingfield enlisted in the 1st London (City of London) Sanitary Company R.A.M.C. in
October, 1914. and was later gazetted as Lieutenant. At the end of 1918 he was a Captain in charge of a Sanitary
Section overseas.
Mr. Potter was with the Paddington Volunteer Training Corps during parts of 1914 and 1915, and served
with the Special Constabulary from June, 1917 Mr. Mitchell was with the Training Corps from September,
1914 to April, 1917 ; Mr. Miners, during parts of 1914 and 1915, and Mr. Wansbrough during 1915. Mr.
Wansbrough worked at Woolwich Arsenal (Volunteer Munitions Brigade) from September, 1915, to June, 1916,
and after the latter date was in charge of the workshops of the British Red Cross Society.
All the Inspectors, except Mr. Grivell, were employed on National Registration from May, 1916, to November,
1918, and all had duties in connection with Food Control subsequent to April, 1917—such work being additional
to their routine sanitary work.
Clerical Staff.—Mr. F.wings enlisted in the 2/15 London Regiment in August, 1915, and was transferred to
the Royal Engineers in November, 1916. Mr. Fisher enlisted in the 6th Seaforth Highlanders in September, 1914,
and Mr. A. J. O Sheppard in the 1st London (City of London) Sanitary Company, R.A.M.C., in October, 1914. Mr.
Dunning was exempted until May, 1918, when he enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Mr. Rainger was
employed as an engineering turner at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich from August, 1915.
Mr. Gower continued his duties as Chief Clerk, but out of office hours was engaged in ambulance seivice,
first with the National Reserve (8th Middlesex) Ambulance Section and later with the 7th Middlesex V.A.D. and
Eastern Command Volunteer Ambulance Convoy.
Prevention of Infectious Disease.—The number of visits which the Staff makes in
connection with infectious diseases naturally depends on the prevalence of those diseases
and, as has already been reported, the prevalence of the more important diseases was most
fortunatelv low at the time of greatest stress. During the five years 1914-18, 54,382 such
visits were made by the Staff—18,523 by the District Inspectors and 35,859 by the Women*—
as compared with 53,309—11,154 by the District Inspectors and 42,155 by the Women—
during 1909-13. The annual numbers will be found in Table XIV., Appendix. The comparison
between the two periods is affected bv two facts, viz., the introduction of compulsory
*The Women Inspectors deal with measles, whooping cough, chickenpox and other "minor" infectious
diseases, as well as tuberculosis—the District Inspectors, all other diseases.