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82
The first week in January showed a very decided
increase in the number of cases. During this period
43 cases were removed to hospital. The source of the
infection in a number of these cases was Teesdale Streeb
School where two sisters, one in the Infants' Department,
the other in the Girls' Department, had attended
school during their whole period of infectivity and
who were discovered during investigation into the source
of infection in subsequent cases. The mother of the
children stated that she did not bother calling in a
doctor as she thought it was "only" food poisoning
and it was the poison coming out.
This example is illustrative of the great difficulty
of keeping the disease under control. I described fully
in my report for 1929 the difficulties we had to contend
with so they need not be reported here.
A self explanatory table of the cases is appended,
also a chart shewing the course of the outbreak from
the beginning. The diagnosis of Smallpox in 2 cases
under 10 years of age, who were vaccinated, was not
confirmed in hospital.
Other Notifiable Diseases.
Particulars of the number of notifications of various
diseases and the age grouping of the patients will be
found in the accompanying table. In addition to the
usual routine enquiries and protective measures, special
enquiries have been made in a number of cases of
Encephalitis Lethargica, etc., on behalf of the London
County Council.
Consultations with Medical Practitioners.
Owing to the prevalence of Smallpox during the
year, I was called in consultation by medical practitioners
with a view to discussing the diagnosis in a
considerable number of doubtful cases.
Statistics and notes with regard to Puerperal Fever,
Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Infantile Diarrhoea, and Home
Nursing toill be found in the section relating to
Maternity and Child Welfare.