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58
Small-pox.
During the year no case of this disease has occurred in the Boiough.
There was, however, an outbreak of Small-pox in Willesden and Marylebone,
both of which districts adjoin Hampstead. The infection was
introduced from Paris, and the first case was diagnosed as chicken-pox,—
the second ease being infected from the first. Altogether four cases
occurred in this connection, two of which died. There were very many
contacts in Hampstead from these cases, and it was considered advisable
that special precautions should be taken. Thus all medical practitioners
were warned; all contacts were traced, as far as possible, and advised to
be vaccinated (many of whom were so vaccinated); they were also kept
under strict supervision, and their personal doctors warned that their
patients were contacts; a supply of lymph was also obtained. During
the whole of the period when it was possible for a case to have broken
out in Hampstead, the Public Health Department was in every respect
ready to deal with any outbreak which might have occurred, members
of the department being on duty during evenings and the week end.
Vaccination.
Of the total births dealt with in 1926 by the Vaccination Officer,
amounting to 1261, 671 were successfully vaccinated. In 8 cases the
children were insusceptible of vaccination. In regard to 199, certificates
of Conscientious Objection were obtained; 44 died before
vaccination was performed; 11 cases of .vaccination were postponed,
and 328 remained to be dealt with.
I am indebted to the Vaccination Officer for these statistics.
Venereal Diseases.
Under the Public Health (Venereal Diseases) Regulations, 1916,
the County Council is the Authority for London (excluding the City).
The scheme of the County Council has for its objects : —
(i) The provision of facilities for diagnosis and treatment
in voluntary hospitals and other institutions.
(ii) The provision for doctors of laboratory facilities for aid in
diagnosis and treatment; the supply to them of salvarsan
or its substitutes; the provision of instruction for practitioners
and students; and the co-ordination of the work
of hospitals, public health services and practitioners.
(iii) The publication and dissemination of information, and
the giving of instruction on matters relating to venereal
diseases and their treatment (publicity and propaganda
work).