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57
Small-Pox.
Seven cases of small-pox occurred in Battersea during 1930
compared with 2 in 1929. Two other cases were notified, but were
subsequently cancelled, the diagnosis not being confirmed on
removal to hospital.
Only two of the Battersea patients had been vaccinated (in
infancy) prior to attack, and in each case the attack was of the prevailing
mild character known as variola minor.
All the cases were immediately removed to the isolation hospital,
the average duration of isolation being 18 days. All members of
the family and immediate contacts were vaccinated or re-vaccinated
by the Public Vaccinator or private medical practitioners within a
few hours of the removal of the case to hospital. No further cases
occurred amongst the Battersea contacts.
During the year there were 5,165 cases of this disease recorded
in London, 8 of these cases occurring in the neighbouring borough
of Wandsworth and 46 in Lambeth. 958 cases occurred in Stepney,
962 in Bethnal Green, 788 in Shoreditch, 635 in Poplar and 306 in
Camberwell. The disease was also prevalent in Greater London,
West Ham having 851 cases.
It is satisfactory to note that notwithstanding the prevalence
of the disease in adjoining boroughs and other London districts,
Battersea was comparatively free.
626 "contacts" with cases of small-pox occurring in other
districts were reported to the Medical Officer of Health, and were
visited daily for 19 days. This involved much extra work for the
Sanitary Inspectorial Staff.
In England and Wales, 11,855 cases of small-pox were notified
during 1930.
No vaccinations were performed by the Medical Officer of
Health during the year under report.
Scarlet Fever.
The incidence of Scarlet Fever was higher in 1930, 566 cases
being notified as compared with 466 in the previous year.
The case-rate per 1,000 of the population was 3.52 and 2
deaths were registered from the disease, giving a death-rate of 0.012
per 1,000 as compared with 4 deaths and a death-rate of 0.025
in 1929.
Of the cases notified 531 or 93.8 per cent. were removed to
hospital. The infected houses numbered 479.
In 41 of the notified cases (not included in the above total),
the diagnosis of Scarlet Fever was not confirmed at hospital.