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20
SMALLPOX.
No case of this disease was notified during the year, but a number of persons who had been
exposed to risk of infection from cases occurring outside the Borough were kept under observation
until all danger of their developing the disease was over.
During the year all vaccinations of smallpox contacts were performed by the Public Vaccinator,
none being performed by the Medical Officer of Health under the Public Health (Smallpox Prevention)
Regulations, 1917.
VACCINATION.
There are two vaccination districts in the Borough, one consisting of the Paddington Hospital,
for which the Medical Superintendent, Dr. W. J. Gill, acts as Public Vaccinator, and Dr. F. A.
Bryning as Deputy Public Vaccinator, and the other of the rest of the Borough, the Public Vaccinator
being Dr. E. R. Emslie, and the Deputy Public Vaccinator, Dr. E. D. Fenwick.
The Vaccination Officer is Mr. T. E. Rainger, who was appointed to that position in 1931. The
appointment is a part-time one, Mr. Rainger also holding a position on the clerical staff of the Public
Health Department.
The latest return available as to the state of vaccination in the Borough is for the year 1936.
This shows that 56.0 per cent, of the children whose births were registered during that year were
successfully vaccinated, and that 18.08 per cent, were exempted on production of statutory declarations
of conscientious objection. Insusceptibility, removals, deaths, postponement by medical certificate
and not traced, account for the remaining 26.92 per cent.
During the year 1937, no vaccinations were performed in the Paddington Hospital. In the
rest of the Borough, 728 infants under one year of age, and 42 persons over that age were successfully
vaccinated by the Public Vaccinator, by whom also 14 persons were re-vaccinated who had been
successfully vaccinated at some previous time.
Of children born in the Borough and those transferred from other districts the total number
vaccinated by Public Vaccinators and other Medical Practitioners was 1,284 ; and the total number
of statutory declarations of conscientious objection received from Paddington and other districts
was 406.
No legal proceedings were taken during the year 1937 for non-compliance with the provisions
of the Vaccination Acts.
CHICKEN-POX.
Chicken-pox has been notifiable in Paddington since November 28th, 1922, but the sections
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, dealing with disinfection, exposure to infection, etc., are
not in force as regards this disease.
During 1937, 239 certificates were received from medical practitioners. In addition 381 cases
were reported from other sources, making a total of 620 for the year.
Chicken-pox is not usually nursed in an institution, but 20 cases received institutional treatment
for various reasons.
TYPHOID FEVER AND CONTINUED FEVER.
Eleven cases of typhoid fever and one case of continued fever were notified in 1937.
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.
Eight of the cases received hospital treatment.
One death from typhoid fever occurred during the year.
MEASLES.
This disease is not now notifiable in the Borough, but the Order made by the London County
Council on 1st April, 1903, applying to measles Sections 60-65, 68-70 and 72 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, still remains in force. The Order enables local authorities to disinfect after
measles and to safeguard the public in several ways against spread of infection.
During the year 232 cases were brought to the knowledge of the Department through reports
from schools, parents, etc. In the following table these cases are distributed among the various
Wards of the Borough in four-weekly periods.