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T here was a still further increase in the prevalence of the disease, the number of cases
certified by medical practitioners being 555 and of those reported from other sources 377,
making a total of 932 cases. The greatest prevalence occurred during the second quarter of
the year.
Chicken-pox is not usually nursed in an institution, but 41 cases received institutional
treatment for various reasons.
The District Nursing Association's nurses attended 11 patients, 6 of whom were under
and 5 over 5 years of age. The number of visits paid was 81.
In view of the prevalence of smallpox in other parts of London and the resemblance
between chicken-pox and smallpox a large number of the cases of chicken-pox reported
were visited by the Medical Officer of Health to verify the diagnosis.
TYPHOID FEVER AND CONTINUED FEVER.
Nine cases of typhoid fever were notified in 1931. In a few cases no doubt, the
diagnosis was subsequently revised, but no accurate information is available on this point.
Four cases of continued fever were notified. In cases where the diagnosis of typhoid
fever cannot be made with certainty but there is a strong likelihood of the disease being
present, local doctors are encouraged to obtain early hospital treatment for the patients by
notifying them as having continued fever.
Of the 13 cases of typhoid fever and continued fever, 11 received hospital treatment.
One death occurred from typhoid fever.
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."
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 1931, 541 cases of measles certified by medical practitioners, and 118
cases reported from other sources, the corresponding figures for 1930 being 1790 and 438, and
for 1929, 210 and 62.