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63
SMALL-POX.
One supposed case of this disease was notified during the year.
It was found to be one of Chicken Pox.
Deaths from Small-pox during the last ten years:—
1904 1 1909 —
1905 — 1910 —
1906 — 1911 —
1907 — 1912 —
1908 — 1913
SCARLET FEVER.
The increased prevalence of Scarlet Fever since the middle of
August, 1913, continued longer than is usual with the ordinary increase
of the complaint noticed every autumn. The usual tendency of Scarlet
Fever is to increase in prevalence about the middle of August of each
year, and to continue in more or less severity until the middle of
November, when it gradually subsides to the ordinary proportions of the
rest of the year. It was noticed last autumn, however, that the decline in
the severity of the complaint did not commence at the period it is usually
looked for ; this most likely was due to the mildness of the winter.
Scarlet Fever is thought to be spread mainly by personal contact;
the glands of the mouth and throat being the chief means of its
propagation.
I have noticed for a long time past that Scarlet Fever in Southwark,
in regard to its incidence, has usually a cycle of five years. The last
cycle has extended to seven years, as the year of the last exceptional
increase was 1906. Most of the cases of Scarlet Fever occur in children
under five years of age, and it might be thought that, owing to the
extension of the last cycle, and there being in consequence a greater number
of susceptible children in 1913, that the ages of the children attacked
would be increased. This has not been found so in the recent increase
of the complaint. Therefore, I think we are justified in saying that if
Scarlet Fever by measures taken can be put off until a child is five years
of age, the child has a very great chance of not having the disease at all.