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Smallpox.—No case of smallpox was notified in the borough during the year 1938. 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 ship. 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 immediate isolation should any suspicious symptoms
arise.
Scarlet Fever.—The number of cases notified was 248, but after observation in hospital 10
were found not to be suffering from scarlet fever. It will be seen from the first table on page 59 that
the number of notifications received during 1938 is only 43 per cent. of those received during 1934.
The character of the disease was generally mild, and no case proved fatal. Of the total number
of cases notified, 233 were removed to hospital.
Five of the notified cases were patients in the same house as persons who had within the
previous 28 days returned from hospital after having been treated for scarlet fever. In each of these
five cases a careful investigation was made with a view to ascertaining the source of infection,
and necessary steps were taken to prevent any further spread.
Diphtheria.—One hundred and seventy-seven cases of diphtheria were notified. One hundred
and seventy-three patients were removed to hospital, but 21 of these were subsequently found not to
be suffering from diphtheria and were returned home after the acute illness had subsided.
There were 10 instances where more than one case occurred in the same house.
The number of deaths from diphtheria was 8, which represents a case mortality of 7.5.
In the three preceding years the deaths were 19, 11 and 4, the respective case mortality rates
being 6, 8 and 2.
During the year 2,006 throat swabs were examined at the council's laboratory at Princess
Louise hospital, and 26 of these showed the presence of the diphtheria bacillus.
Six cases of diphtheria were reported from St. Mary Abbots hospital, 35 from St. Charles
hospital, and 15 from Princess Louise hospital.
Under the Anti-toxin Order, 1910, the council are empowered to supply diphtheria antitoxin
for administration to patients who are too poor to pay, and on signing the necessary
declaration that the patient cannot afford specific treatment, a doctor can obtain a free supply
from Mr. Evans, chemist, at No. 135, Ladbroke Grove, W.ll, Mr. W. Reeves, chemist, at
No. 221, Westbourne Park Road, W.11, or from the public health department at the town hall. The
anti-toxin is obtainable at all hours of the day and night from Mr. Evans's and Mr. Reeves's premises,
and during office hours from the town hall. When the town hall is closed, applications for antitoxin
can be made to Mr. Britton, an officer of the department, who lives at No. 1, Hornton Place,
Hornton Street (only a few yards from the town hall).
The council lend syringes with portable sterilizers to doctors for the purpose of administering
the anti-toxin. Doctors administering the council's anti-toxin to poor persons are, on application
to the medical officer of health, paid a fee of 5s. per patient treated.
In 1938 the council supplied 270,000 units of anti-toxin for 31 patients at a cost of
£16 0s. 7½d.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
The arrangement under which doctors practising in the borough carry out immunisation of
children on behalf, and at the cost, of the council, continued in operation throughout 1938. From
the 1st October, 1938, the council have supplied immunisation material free to doctors for use in
the case of any Kensington child. In addition the council pay the doctor at the rate of 2s. 6d. for
each injection given.
In November last an innovation was introduced into the scheme in the form of a diphtheria
immunisation clinic.
In the past it has been found that there is a considerable number of children whose parents
have no family doctor; whilst quite willing to take their children to a clinic, for various reasons
they do not wish to attend the surgeries of the doctors on the immunisation panel. The new clinic
is for the purpose of serving this comparatively large group.
The clinic is staffed by a panel of Kensington general practitioners attending in rotation. A
borough council nurse is in constant attendance, and all material used is supplied by the council.
The doctors are paid at the rate of 2s. 6d. for each injection. The clinic is held at No. 304,
Westbourne Grove (formerly No. 28b, Archer Street), every Friday at 3 p.m.
The total attendance for the two months during which this clinic has been in existence was
197, which is most encouraging.
The general practitioners have shown the greatest willingness to co-operate with the borough
council in their endeavours to increase the number of children who are immunised against diphtheria
in this borough.
From the introduction of the scheme in 1934 to the end of 1938 the number of children
immunised has been 4,328.
Dr. Guy Bousfield continued throughout the year to hold a schick-testing clinic at No. 304,
Westbourne Grove. The total number of children attending for pre-immunisation Schick tests