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Pneumonia and Influenzal Pneumonia.—There are many forms of pneumonia but the only
kinds notifiable are acute primary pneumonia and influenzal pneumonia. Two hundred and
twenty-one notifications were received, one hundred and eighty-five patients being certified as
suffering from acute primary pneumonia and thirty-six from influenzal pneumonia. It is certain
that many cases escaped notification.
The number of deaths from pneumonia during the year was 176, and 31 deaths were certified
to be due to influenza.
Zymotic Enteritis or Summer Diarrhoea.—In 1924, the Borough Council adopted a scheme
for the control and treatment of zymotic enteritis or Summer diarrhoea. The scheme has operated
during the Summer months—in 1924, from the 1st July to the 30th September; in 1925-1929 from
the 1st June to the 30th September ; and in 1930, from the 1st July to the 31st October.
The Council retain the part-time services of Dr. Ronald Carter, who has made a special study
of zymotic enteritis. Dr. Carter pays periodical visits to the various infant welfare centres, where
he is consulted in reference to difficult cases. He also sees cases in their homes which are not attended
by other doctors.
In 1924, Dr. Carter prepared for routine use a scheme of treatment, which included intestinal
lavage, and in the Spring of each year he gives addresses to health officers, voluntary workers
and sisters of the infant welfare centres, nurses of the Kensington District Nursing Association
and others who co-operate with him in the Council's scheme for dealing with this disease. He
works in close co-operation with the voluntary agencies in Kensington and with the Medical
Superintendent of St. Mary Abbots Hospital.
The following is a report by Dr. Carter giving particulars of cases of enteritis dealt with during
the last five years, and also in the year under review.
DIARRHOEA AND ENTERITIS, 1026-1930.
During the last 5 years, 437 notifications have been received in the Public Health Department.
In 374 cases, the patient was the only member of the family to contract the disease, and in 28 familiesmore
than one case occurred. The total number of cases occurring in children under one year of age
was 258, and over one year of age 179.
Food on which the children were fed.
Mixed diet 167
Breast only 49
Cows' milk 103
Condensed milk 34
Dried milk 35
Breast and cows' milk 19
Breast and condensed milk 30
“Mixed diet” means gravy and bread, or gravy and potatoes or vegetable soup, with custard pudding
at the mid-day meal. The other meals usually consist of cows' milk.
Deaths from Diarrhoea and Enteritis in the Borough.
1926 30
1827 27
1928 18
1929 43
1930 28
146
Deaths in cases attended by nurses of the Kensington District Nursing Association.
1926. One death whilst nurses attending. Two cases sent to hospital and both died.
1927. No death whilst nurses attending. Six cases sent to hospital and five died.
1928. No death whilst nurses attending. Thirteen cases sent to hospital and four died.
1929. One death whilst nurses attending. Sixteen cases sent to hospital and three died.
1930. One death whilst nurses attending. Two cases sent to hospital and one died.
Out of a total of 472 cases of diarrhoea attended by the District Nurses during the last 5 years,
3 died whilst the nurses were in attendance, and 15 died after removal to hospital. Total number of
deaths, 18. The nurses attended a number of cases of diarrhoea which were not notified.
During the last five years, I have attended 90 cases in their own homes and no death occurred.
I sent six very severe cases into hospital and three of these died.
I saw five cases of dysentery due to the Flexner bacillus, and one due to the Shiga bacillusMorgan
No. I was present in a number of cases.
The great majority of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting was due to acute dyspepsia and gastroenteritis
caused by an excess of either proteins, carbohydrates or fats in the diet. A considerable
number could be traced to contamination of the cows' milk by micro-organisms. Four cases were due
to eating ice cream.