London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of Westminster 1931

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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30
Scarlet Fever.—196 cases of this disease occurred in 1931, a decrease
of 69 on the figures of 1930. The Victoria and St. John Wards showed a
marked decrease, the distribution in the remaining wards being normal.
There were no deaths. The case rate of this disease per 1,000 of the
population was 1.6 for the City, and for England and Wales 2.05. The
death rate for London was 0.02 per 1,000 and that for England and Wales
was 0.01. Of the total cases in Westminster 989 per cent, were removed
to hospital.
Diphtheria.—140 cases of this disease occurred, showing a decrease
of 116 on the figures of 1930. The wards showing a marked decrease
are St. John and Victoria. The largest number of cases occurred
between the ages of 5.15 and 2035. There were 5 deaths (2 males and
3 females), giving a rate of 35.7 per 1,000 cases. The case rate of this
disease for AVestminster was 1.1 per 1,000 living, and for England and
Wales 12.7. The death rate for Westminster was 0.04, England and
Wales 0.07, and for London 0-06.
Report on Schick Testing and Immunisation Treatment against
Diphtheria in Westminster, 1931.
This treatment was continued throughout the year at the Council's
Maternity and Child Welfare Centres and at the Westminster Health
Society's Centre, one clinic being held at each Centre weekly.
161 new cases attended during the year, as compared with 225 in
1930 and 204 in 1929. The low incidence of Diphtheria in 1931 may, to
some extent, account for the lower figure in that year.

New cases attended the Centres as follows :—

Westbourne Street62
Bessborough Street46
Marshall Street6
Page Street47
161

The work entailed 205 tests and re-tests, 448 protective injections
and 110 attendances for reading only, a total of 763 attendances.
As in previous years, it was found that a considerable proportion of
patients (17 per cent.) had not been vaccinated against smallpox, although
coming voluntarily for treatment against diphtheria.