View report page

57
A table, showing the number of cases of infectious disease notified in the various age periods,
notified in the various wards, and admitted to hospital, and the deaths from these diseases during
the year, will be found in Appendix II on page 78 of this report.
Smallpox.—During 1934, there was a large decrease in the number of smallpox cases notified
in London. One hundred and forty-six cases occurred in the metropolitan area, as compared
with 534 in the previous year. Thirteen of the 29 metropolitan boroughs were affected. There
was only one death from this disease in London during the year.
One case of smallpox was notified in the borough during the year, but the notification was
subsequently withdrawn as the patient was found to be suffering from chicken pox. Many
Kensington residents had been in contact with cases in other districts, and several came to live in
the borough who had been in contact with cases on board ships. These contacts were kept under
daily observation until all possibility of developing the disease had disappeared. The object of
repeatedly visiting these contacts is to secure prompt isolation before the patient becomes infectious
in the event of smallpox developing. The total number of contacts kept under observation during
the year was 72.
Scarlet Fever.—The number of cases notified during the year was 578, of which 541 were
removed to hospital.
Twenty-nine patients notified as suffering from scarlet fever were found, after admission to
hospital, not to be suffering from any infectious illness, with the result that they were returned
home.

The number of cases was 68 fewer than in the previous year, and the disease remained mild in
type. There were three deaths during the year, and in the three preceding years the number was one,
three and one respectively.
There were 44 instances where more than one case occurred in the same house.
Ten of the 549 definite cases of scarlet fever were patients in the same houses as persons who
had within the previous 28 days returned from hospital after having been treated for this disease.
Cases of this kind are called " return " cases, and a very careful investigation was made in each of
the ten, with a view to ascertaining the source of infection.
During the year, it was necessary for application to be made to the West London Police Court
for orders for the compulsory removal of two cases of scarlet fever to hospital. In one instance,
the family occupied part of a basement flat, the remaining two rooms being occupied by members
of another family. In the other instance, the house was let in lodgings to members of four families.
Every persuasive effort was made by the council's officers to induce the parents to allow the
patients to go to hospital, but these failed and, as the home conditions were conducive to the
spread of infection, it was essential in the public interest that a magistrate's order for removal
should be obtained. It is interesting to record that these are the only two cases over a period of
many years where the officers of the public health department have found it necessary to apply
to a magistrate for power to secure removal.
As a preventive measure, the borough council have agreed to provide material for the Dick
test for medical practitioners attending poor residents and local voluntary hospitals, and during
the year an expenditure of £1 15s. 3d. was incurred in respect of this service.
Diphtheria.—Three hundred and eighty-four cases of diphtheria were notified during the year,
383 of which were removed to hospital.