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1932]
28
In the month of January 13 cases were notified, 13 in February, 26* in March,
5 in April, 13 in May, 31** in June, 17 in July, 11** in August, 5 in September,
14* in October, 10 in November and 4 in December. *Signifies unconfirmed case.
In consequence of the occurrence of cases of Smallpox among scholars in the
public elementary schools, arrangements were made, in conjunction with the
London County Council Schools Medical Officer, for the Public Vaccinators of the
district to attend at the following schools and vaccinate children where the consent
of the parents had been obtained:—
Gilford Street School (7 cases of Smallpox among scholars).
York Road School (9 cases of Smallpox among scholars).
St. Mary Magdalene School (15 cases of Smallpox among scholars).
The Public Vaccinator also attended at a Laundry in the Borough and vaccinated
the employees, as a member of the staff had been removed to hospital
suffering from Smallpox.
Of the cases notified during the year, 8 were notified from St. Mary's (Islington)
Hospital (one of which was unconfirmed), 1 from the Middlesex Hospital and
2 from the Royal Northern Hospital, Islington.
Diphtheria was responsible for 598 cases of illness, which were 293 below
the average (891) of the preceding ten years. The attack rate was equal to 1.84
per 1,000 of the civil population annually, and was 0.86 below the mean rate (2.70)
of the decennial period. In London the attack-rate was 1.8 per 1,000.
DIPHTHERIA ANTI-TOXIN; IMMUNISATION.
Under the Special Order of 15th August, 1910, the then Local Government
Board sanctioned the provision by the Sanitary Authority, in pursuance of
section 77 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, of a temporary supply of
Diphtheria Anti-toxin "for the poorer inhabitants of the district, subject to the
following conditions, that is to say, the arrangements with respect to the keeping,
distribution and use of the Diphtheria Anti-toxin shall be made in accordance with
the advice of the Medical Officer of Health."
The section of the Public Health Act referred to is that which enables the
authority, with the sanction of the Local Government Board, to provide a temporary
supply of medicine, etc., for the poorer inhabitants of their district. (See also
page 33.
Applications in respect of 3 children were received for Diphtheria immunisation
(Schick Test) during the year.
ANTI-TOXIN TREATMENT.
During the year 14,000 units of Diphtheria Anti-toxin serum were issued to
Medical Practitioners in the Borough. Of this quantity 6,000 units were sold,
the total amount received by the Council being 8s. Od. The remaining 8,000 units
were given free, owing to the patients' limited means.
Scarlet Fever.—983 cases were notified, and they showed a decrease of
171 on the average (1,154) of the ten years 1922-31. The attack-rate was equal to
3.03 per 1,000 of the civil population annually, which is a decrease of 0.44 per
1,000 of the mean rate (3.47) of the preceding ten years. In London the attackrate
was 3.2 per 1,000 of the civil population.