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21
PUERPERAL FEVER.
There were 13 cases of puerperal fever notified during 1936, all of which were removed to or nursed
in a hospital. There is no difficulty in obtaining institutional treatment for women suffering from
this disease. Cases of puerperal fever referred to the London County Council are usually sent to the
North-Western Hospital, Hampstead, where a special ward is set aside for these cases and special
medical and nursing staffs are provided. Excellent accommodation is also available at Queen
Charlotte's Isolation Hospital, Hammersmith.
Five deaths from the disease were recorded during the year.
PUERPERAL PYREXIA.
This condition is defined as:—
"Any febrile condition (other than a condition which is required to be notified as
puerperal fever) occurring in a woman within 21 days after childbirth or miscarriage in
which a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or more, has been sustained during a
period of 24 hours or has recurred during that period."
The febrile condition referred to in the above definition may be due to any cause, and it may
be to some cause quite independent of the puerperal condition. It may, however, be the precursor
of the more serious condition known as puerperal fever, and it is with this in view that the numerous
conditions comprised under the term puerperal pyrexia are made notifiable.
During the year 42 cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified, 39 of which occurred within or
were removed to institutions.
In January, 1936, Mr. Douglas H. MacLeod, F.R.C.S., succeeded Mr. Aleck W. Bourne,
F.R.C.S. (England), as consultant for cases of puerperal fever and puerperal pyrexia. One request
for his assistance was made to the Council during the year.
ERYSIPELAS.
Fifty cases were notified, 34 of which occurred within or were removed to hospitals.
ACUTE POLIO-MYELITIS.
One case of this disease, otherwise known as Infantile Paralysis, was notified, and
received treatment in hospital. Owing to the serious after-effects, such as deformities, which result from
this disease, much care is taken to keep in touch with all cases previously notified. Recent experience
tends to show that most of the cases notified by doctors receive all the necessary remedial treatment.
It is evident that the possibility of preventing the onset of serious deformities is now realised by
parents and doctors more than formerly.
ACUTE POLIO-ENCEPHALITIS.
No case of this disease, somewhat similar in its nature to the last-mentioned, was notified.
ACUTE ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
No case of this disease was notified, but three deaths were recorded during the year.
CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER.
Three cases of this disease were notified in 1936, and were treated in hospital. All the cases
proved fatal.
MALARIA.
Five cases of this disease were notified, all being treated in hospital.
ACUTE PRIMARY PNEUMONIA, ACUTE INFLUENZAL PNEUMONIA.
Ninety-two cases of acute primary pneumonia were notified in 1936, as compared with 99
in 1935. Of the ninety-two cases, 55 were nursed in institutions. Twenty-nine cases of acute
influenzal pneumonia were notified, as compared with 33 in 1935. Of the 29 cases, 11 were nursed in
institutions.
Seventy-seven cases of pneumonia of all kinds received nursing attention at home under the
auspices of the Council's scheme for district nursing, 1,211 visits being paid.
ANTHRAX.
No case of this disease was notified during the year.