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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Paddington 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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16
MEASLES.
Measles has been notifiable in the Borough since 1914 under various Orders and Regulations
those at present in operation being "The Metropolitan Borough of Paddington (Measles and
German Measles) Regulations, 1920."
The only other part of London in which all cases of measles are notifiable is the Port of
London. In eight other London Boroughs only the first case of measles occurring in a family
is notifiable.
Sections 60-65, 68-70 and 72 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, were extended to
measles as a dangerous infectious disease throughout the County of London by order made
by the London County Council on April 1st, 1903. The effect of this order is to enable local
authorities to disinfect after measles and to safeguard the public in several ways against
spread of infection.
In addition to the cases medically certified a number of cases come to the knowledge of
the Department through reports from schools, parents, etc.
There were, in 1927, 154 cases of measles certified by medical practitioners, and 116 cases
reported from other sources, the corresponding figures for 1926 being 1,931 and 549.
The number of notified and reported cases is analysed in the adjoining table in 4-weekly
periods for the various wards. In no one week did the numer of cases exceed 14.
The Women Sanitary Inspectors visit cases of measles with few exceptions, and arrange,
where necessary, for the attendance of the District Nurses. During 1927 the Inspectors'
visits totalled 437.
Four cases of measles in children under the age of 5 years were visited by the District
Nurses, the number of visits paid being 50. No cases over the age of 5 years were visited by
the District Nurses.
Seventy-nine cases of measles were removed to hospital during the year. During the
year the Metropolitan Asylums Board provided accommodation for increased numbers of
measles patients.
The number of deaths from measles was 5, all of persons under the age of 5 years. Measles
is a disease which is apt to be fatal to young children, and even when recovery ensues the
disease is often followed by a period of ill-health or debility.
Measles.
Notified and Reported Cases.
Four-Weekly Periods.
| Period No. 1. | Period No. 2. | Period No. 3 | Period No. 4. | Period No. 5. | Period No. 6. | Period No. 7. | Period No. 8. | Period No. 9. | Period No. 10. | Period No. 11. | Period No. 12. | Period No. 13. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borough | 46 | 36 | 34 | 24 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 19 | 36 | 270 |
| Queen's Park | 1 | – | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | 2 | – | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
| Harrow Road | 4 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 5 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 44 |
| Maida Vale | 11 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | – | 4 | 2 | 36 |
| Town | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | – | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 2 | 10 |
| Church | 14 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 64 |
| Westbourne | 15 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 1 | – | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 20 | 79 |
| Lancaster Gate, West | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Lancaster Gate, East | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | 3 | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Hyde Park | – | 1 | 2 | 2 | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 9 |
GERMAN MEASLES.
This harmless, but infectious disease, is notifiable in Paddington, 78 cases were notified
in 1927, as compared with 124 in 1926, 375 in 1925 and 458 in 1924.