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42
Small-Pox.
Two cases of small-pox occurred in Battersea during 1929,
compared with one in 1928. Previous to that year no case of
small-pox had been notified since September, 1923.
The two patients notified in 1929 were relations who resided
in the same street but in different houses. On enquiry it was
ascertained that they had attended a dance held at a school in
the adjoining Borough of Wandsworth which was also attended
by a resident of that Borough, who—with four other members
of his family—was subsequently found to be suffering from the
disease.
Neither of the two Battersea patients had been vaccinated
prior to attack, and in each case, the attack was of the prevailing
mild character.
They were immediately removed to the isolation hospital,
one being discharged after three days, and the other after a fortnight.
All members of the family and immediate contacts were
vaccinated or re-vaccinated within a few hours of the removal of
the case to Hospital. No further cases occurred in either family
or amongst the Battersea contacts.
During the year there were 1,930 cases of this disease recorded
in London, 15 of these cases occurring in the neighbouring borough
of Wandsworth and 75 in Lambeth. 500 cases occurred in Stepney,
262 in Bethnal Green, 247 in Shoreditch, 159 in Poplar and 118 in
Camberwell. No cases were recorded in Chelsea, Fulham or
Hampstead. The disease was also prevalent in Greater London,
West Ham having a large number of cases.
It is satisfactory to note that notwithstanding the prevalence
of the disease in adjoining boroughs and other London districts,
Battersea was comparatively free.
618 " contacts " with cases of small-pox occurring in other
districts were reported to the Medical Officer of Health, and were
visited daily during the incubation period, involving much extra
work for the Inspectorial Staff.
In England and Wales, 11,022 cases of small-pox were notified
during 1929.
Scarlet Fever.
The incidence of Scarlet Fever was slightly lower in 1929,
466 cases being notified as compared with 480 in the previous year.
The case-rate per 1,000 of the population was 2-88 and 4
deaths were registered from the disease, giving a death-rate of 0.025
per 1,000 as compared with 5 deaths and a death-rate of 0.03
in 1928.
Of the cases notified 460 or 98.7 per cent. were removed to
hospital. The infected houses numbered 420.
In 64 of the notified cases (not included in the above total),
the diagnosis of Scarlet Fever was not confirmed at hospital.