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35
Notifications under the Provisions of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891.—During the year 3,227 cases have been
notified under the above Act, as compared with 2,613, 2,820 and
2,116 respectively in the preceding years 1918, 1919 and 1920.
Small-Pox.—No case of this disease occurred in the Borough
during the year.
Details respecting vaccination in the Borough are given in the
Supplemental Vaccination Reports on page 34.
Diphtheria.—Five hundred #nd ninety-five cases of Diphtheria
were notified during the year, as compared with 322, 240, 275 and
391 respectively in the years 1917, 1918, 1919 and 1920. The
distribution of these cases was as follows:—332 in East Greenwich,
154 in West Greenwich, 24 in St. Nicholas, 56 in Charlton and'
29 in Kidbrooke.
Of this total number, 572 were removed to the Hospital , for
treatment, amongst which number the Hospital Authorities reported
that in 7 cases they considered the diagnosis incorrect.
The exceptional number of Diphtheria cases are accounted
for in part by a considerable epidemic of this disease at the Royal
Hospital Schools. In all, 109 cases occurred between 10th September
and 10th December, and these cases are, of course, all
included in the figure of 154 for West Greenwich.
The School Authorities, in conjunction with the officers of the
Public Health Department, used eVery endeavour to deal adequately
with the outbreak. The epidemic, which was of a mild character,
died down shortly before the Christmas recess, but, in order that
every precaution might be taken, the Medical Officers of Health
of the various districts to which the boys journeyed were notified
so that they could be kept under observation. The premises meanwhile
were thoroughly disinfected throughout by an augmented
staff under the direction of the Council's Disinfectors.
There were 13 fatalities due to this disease, which gives a case
mortality of 4.3 per cent.
Two thousand five hundred and forty-two specimens were forwarded
by medical practitioners for bacteriological investigation
from cases suspected to be Diphtheria. Of this number 2,276
were reported to give negative or doubtful results, and 266 were
positive in character, being dealt with accordingly.
The quarterly incidence of the disease for 1921 has been as
follows:—