London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Chelsea 1942

Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chelsea, 1942

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69
Nursing -By arrangement with the Chelsea District Nursing Association,
home nursing is provided for infants suffering from this disease.
In addition to notified cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum, three cases of
inflammation of the eyes were reported by the Medical Officer of
Health of the London County Council. These cases were visited by the
Health Visitors and action taken where necessary.
POLIOMYELITIS AND POLIO-ENCEPHALITIS.
Three cases of Poliomyelitis were notified during the year and treated
in hospital.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
No case of Encephalitis Lethargica was notified during the year.
Two visits to old cases of Encephalitis Lethargica were made by the
Woman Sanitary Inspector.
Encephalitis Lethargica is undoubtedly infectious, but the infectivity
is of very low nature. The sequelae may be serious, as in most cases
some permanent damage to the brain tissue occurs. The disease was
made compulsorily notifiable from 1st January, 1919.
DEATHS. There were two deaths (Male 29 years,
and Female 62 years) from this
disease. during the year.
CHICKEN POX.
With the approval of the Ministry of Health, the Borough Council
made the disease known as chicken pox notifiable in the Borough on,
and from, the 12th August, 1929.
Sixty-nine notifications were received during the year. Of these, 10
were treated in hospital. (Note By resolution of the Borough Council
and approved by the Ministry of Health this disease will cease to be
notifiable as an Infectious disease from 4th January, 1939).
SMALL POX.
No case of small pox was notified in Chelsea during the year. Appropriate
action was taken as regards contacts of cases notified in other
boroughs.
Vaccination.—No vaccinations have been performed by the Medical
Officer of Health under the Public Health (Smallpox Prevention) Regulations,
1917.
The following Table gives particulars as regards vaccination in respect
of children whose births were registered in the Borough for the years
The figures for the year are not yet available.