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On 28th February, 1933, the Council authorised the Public Health Committee to make arrangements
for the prevention of measles by the method of sero-therapy. The small number of cases reported
made it impracticable for the scheme to be put into operation during the year. This method of
prevention will, however, be utilised as soon as an opportunity occurs.
Seven deaths were attributed to measles, 2 of which occurred among children under the age of
1 year, 2 among children between the ages of 1 and 2 years, 2 among children between the ages of
2 and 5 years, and 1 among children over 5 years of age.
The Women Sanitary Inspectors visit cases of measles with few exceptions and arrange, where
necessary, for the attendance of the District Nurses.
The cases requiring nursing assistance during the year numbered 21 under 5 years of age and
8 over 5 years of age. The number of visits paid by the nurses was 285 and 73 to each group respectively.
Seventy-three cases received treatment in hospital.
GERMAN MEASLES.
This harmless, but infectious disease, was notifiable in Paddington, together with measles, until
the Regulations were revoked in March, 1933. In the course of the year 58 cases came to the knowledge
of the Department through various sources of information, as compared with 82 cases in 1932, and
64 cases in 1931.
Twenty patients received treatment in hospital.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
This disease is notifiable in London under Section 55 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
the London County Council having by resolution in 1911 made this section applicable to the disease.
Twenty-one notifications relating to cases of purulent eye-discharge of the new-born were received
during 1933. Of the 21 patients 17 recovered without any impairment of vision, 2 proceeded to other
districts on discharge from hospital, 1 was not traced after removal, and 1 died.
As soon as a case of this disease is notified, intensive efforts are made by the Council's Staff to
ensure that proper treatment is carried out. Daily visits are paid and private or charitable medical
treatment is invariably enforced. Where necessary the infant and its mother are removed to a hospital,
provision of this accommodation being ample. All necessary nursing attention is given by home
visiting on the part of the Paddington and St. Marylebone District Nursing Association.