View report page

15
Borough, except Stoke Newington, Holborn, City and Deptford. The
largest number of cases occurred in Lambeth and Wandsworth—18 cases
each. Ninety-one of the cases of which records came to hand were males,
and 99 females. The ages were: under 15, 44 cases; 15-45, 93 cases;
over 45, 53 cases. There were 40 deaths: males, 19; females, 21;
which gives a case fatality rate of 21 per cent., but it is probable that
other deaths occurred after the notifications were received, as the usual
mortality of undoubted cases is about 50 per cent.
Cerebrospinal Meningitis.
Two cases of this disease were notified in Chelsea in 1921, namely:
male, 11 months, and male, 47 years. Both cases were removed to
hospital; both ended fatally. In London 106 cases of Cerebro-spinal
Meningitis were notified in 1921, as against 160 in 1920, 205 in 1919,
231 in 1918, 415 in 1917, 438 in 1916, 712 in 1915, and 75 in 1914.
Polio-Myelitis and Polio-Encephalitis.
Only one case of Polio-Myelitis was notified in Chelsea in 1921,
namely, female, 24 years. The patient was removed to hospital. In
London 57 cases of Polio-Myelitis and 3 cases of Polio-Encephalitis were
notified in 1921.
Puerperal Fever.
Three cases of Puerperal Fever were notified in Chelsea in 1921, as
against 8 in 1920. One case was removed to hospital and one case to
the Infirmary. One case ended fatally at home.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Fifteen cases of this disease were notified in Chelsea in 1921, as
against 17 in 1920. An additional six cases of eye trouble in infants,
which were not notified, were visited, 24 visits in all being made by the
Health Visitors.
Eleven cases were attended by District Nurses, 214 visits being paid
to the homes, which gives an average of 19 visits per case, as against
31 visits per case in 1920. Of the total 21 cases, 20 made complete
recoveries, and one made a partial recovery.
In London, 1,080 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified
in 1921, as against 1,228 in 1920, 833 in 1919, 614 in 1918, 641 in 1917,
783 in 1916, 775 in 1915, and 905 in 1914. The figures seem to indicate
an increase of the disease, and possibly also of gonorrhœal infection of
parents since the war.