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18
CHICKEN-POX.
Chicken-pox has been notifiable in Paddington since November 28th, 1922, but the
sections of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, dealing with disinfection, exposure to
infection, etc., are not in force as regards this disease.
Fewer cases were notified in 1932 than in any year since the disease became permanently
notifiable in the Borough, the number of certificates received from medical practitioners being
291. In addition 104 cases were reported from other sources, making a total of 395 for the
year. The greatest prevalence occurred during the fourth quarter of the year, the cases for
that period numbering 181.
Chicken-pox is not usually nursed in an institution, but 31 cases received institutional
treatment for various reasons.
In view of the prevalence of smallpox in other parts of London and the resemblance
between chicken-pox and smallpox, a large number of cases of chicken-pox reported were
visited by the Medical Officer of Health to verify the diagnosis.
TYPHOID FEVER AND CONTINUED FEVER.
Four cases of typhoid fever were notified in 1932.
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, but no
notifications were received during 1932.
Of the 4 cases of typhoid fever, 3 received hospital treatment.
There were no deaths from the disease.
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 1932, 1,414 cases of measles certified by medical practitioners, and 293
cases reported from other sources, the corresponding figures for 1931 being 541 and 118, and
for 1930, 1,790 and 438.
The number of cases notified is analysed in the adjoining table in 4-weekly periods for
the various wards.