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84
The mildness of the infection is such that frequently the disease is
only discovered when one of a secondary crop develops more pronounced
symptoms or a more marked rash than the primary case. Patients, and
often medical practitioners, have not suspected Smallpox until subsequent
cases have occurred in the same family. So long as these conditions
remain the disease will not entirely disappear from the Borough.
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 from the place of employment 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 .. 175 174(99.4%) 1(0.57%)
,, for observation 4 2(50.0%) 2(50.0%)
Totals .. 179 176(98.3%) 3(i-7%)
Disinfection.
73 premises (177 rooms) were disinfected.
2,694 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.
Notification of Chickenpox.—The notification of Chickenpox was
continued during the year 1932, and 1,101 cases were notified.
Practically all cases notified as Chickenpox were visited by a member
of the Medical Staff. This procedure resulted in the discovery of 4 cases
of Smallpox.
The following table shows the visits paid by the Medical Staff to cases
of doubtful Smallpox, Chickenpox and Smallpox contacts. Several of
these visits represent visits paid to workplaces in order to examine contacts
of cases who had been at work in an infectious condition:—