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had eaten at home. It was not possible to confirm exactly
the food responsible In the other cases. In three Instances
duck eggs, pork luncheon meat and tinned steak were suspect.
Winter Epidemics. During April, May and June, outbreaks of
influenza occurred in the Far East and gradually spread to the
European countries. The Ministry of Health asked to be
informed at the earliest possible moment of any Indication
that Influenza had spread to this country and accordingly
local medical practitioners were written to and asked to report
cases occurring in their practices.
On the 17th June a traveller by air from Bombay was
reported to be suffering from a disease resembling influenza
and the Ministry were at once informed. Arrangements were
made for specimens to be collected and examined by the Colindale
Laboratories.
The epidemic became severe in Hampstead during the
third week in September when local practitioners reported a
record number of cases (one doctor reported 50 - 60 cases per
day). By the end of October, however, the number of cases
was reported as "moderate" and in a further two or three weeks
the epidemic had spent itself. On the whole there were few
serious cases and few unusual features.
Verminous Persons. Thirteen cases of scabies were notified,
and In addition 1 previously notified case was reported as a
relapsed case, and 2 cases were reported as "suspected"
scabies. All cases were visited and treatment of 10 cases and
1 contact was carried out at the Cleansing Station. The
remaining 6 cases were treated either at home or at hospital.
Eighteen adults and 6 children under 5 years of age
were treated for verminous conditions other than scabies.
The London County Council Clinic for treatment of
school children operated on one afternoon a week and 36
children with verminous heads attended. No case of scabies
occurred amongst school children.
Under the London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1953 the Council has power to cleanse an aged person in
his own home, but this power was not used during the year.