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Puerperal pyrexia is defined as any febrile condition occurring in a
woman in whom a temperature of 100-4°F. or more has occurred within
fourteen days after childbirth or miscarriage. The following table is an
analysis of the causes of pyrexia of the fourteen cases notified in 1962:
Cause Number of cases
Urinary infection 3
Uterine infection 1
Chest infection 3
Suspected food poisoning 1
Wound infection 1
Unknown 5
In addition to the above cases, information was received concerning
five patients normally resident in Westminster, who were notified as
suffering from puerperal pyrexia in other London districts.
Smallpox
In my Annual Report for 1960, in connection with the smallpox
case which had occurred in Westminster in October of that year, I drew
attention to the continued need for vaccination as a protective measure,
particularly in these days of high speed travel between Far Eastern
countries and the United Kingdom. This need was brought even more
to the fore in 1961 when towards the end of December, cases of smallpox
were imported into this country from Pakistan, where an epidemic of
this disease existed.
With modern means of transport, it is now possible for a person
unknowingly to be in contact with an infectious disease in one country
and within a few hours to have travelled half across the world. Constant
vigilance is required to prevent the spread of disease, and vaccination
against smallpox is clearly still necessary until such time as this disease
has been eradicated.
Fortunately, despite a number of cases elsewhere in the country, no
case of smallpox occurred in Westminster during 1962, although on
several occasions information was received in the Public Health Department
concerning persons who had been in contact with the disease either
in this country or abroad. In each case the necessary preventive measures
were taken and the contacts kept under daily surveillance for the required
period.
International Certificates of Vaccination and Inoculation
Arrangements continued during the year for the authentication by
the Medical Officer of Health of International Certificates of Vaccination
and Inoculation completed by medical practitioners in Westminster.
These certificates are required by passengers proceeding abroad from