London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Poplar 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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87
Owing to the mildness of the epidemic and the fact that Chickenpox
was also prevalent in the district, cases of Chickenpox were visited
by the medical staff of the department.
With the exception of one case all Smallpox patients were seen by a
medical officer of the department. In this instance the patient was
removed with a friend from a house in an adjoining Borough.
Of the total number of patients removed as suffering from Smallpox less than one per cent. were not confirmed as suffering from this disease:—
| Smallpox. | Not S.P. | |
|---|---|---|
| Patients removed as Smallpox 102 | 101 (99%) | 1 (0.98%) |
| ,, ,, for observation 3 | 2 (66.6%) | 1 (33.3%) |
| Totals 105 | 103 (98.1%) | 2 (1.9%) |
Non-Resident Cases.
During the year 7 cases of Smallpox were removed from the OutPatient
Department of Poplar Hospital—all residents of West Ham.
Disinfection.
52 houses have been disinfected.
8 contacts removed and disinfected.
1,654 articles, including beds, bedding and clothing, removed and
disinfected.
School Medical Inspections, Absentees, etc.—Medical inspection
of school children was carried out by the London County Council staff at
several schools, and arrangements were made for the notification of
absentees, in addition to the usual notification on Form 84. On receipt
of Form 84 reporting that a child had been absent from school on account
of Chickenpox infection in the house, the house was visited by one of
the Medical Officers of the Department and a case of Smallpox was discovered
and within a week six cases in all were removed.