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Measles.—Measles is not at present notifiable in this Borough,
and information as to cases depends on reports from the schools,
parents, health visitors and sanitary inspectors.
The Health Visitors follow up Measles cases in order to ascertain
if adequate medical and nursing provision is made and to arrange
for nursing assistance or removal to hospital, in accordance with
the scheme providing additional beds for cases of Measles in isolation
hospitals.
The number of cases of Measles reported to the Public Health
Department during the year was 47, of whom 15 were removed to
hospitals for treatment. There were no deaths from this disease as
compared with 2 deaths for the year 1936.
Whooping Cough.—This disease is not notifiable in the Borough
and information as to its prevalence comes to the knowledge of the
Department through the same sources as Measles. Visiting of cases
is carried out by the Health Visitors. During the year 53 cases of
the disease were noted and 9 cases were removed from their homes
for hospital treatment. There was one death from this disease in
1937 as compared with two deaths in 1936.
Food Poisoning.—Five cases of food poisoning were reported
during the year. Four of these were members of one family and
were simultaneously affected. Investigation was carried out with
the object of ascertaining the particular food which was responsible
for these illnesses, and, from the evidence available, sausages would
appear to have been the cause. Unfortunately it was not possible
to obtain specimens of the sausages for bacteriological examination
as they had all been consumed. The patients received hospital
treatment and made satisfactory recoveries.
A bacteriological report was received to the effect that the Bacillus
(Aertrycke) had been isolated from the faeces of the patients.
In the fifth case the particular article of food which had caused
the illness could not be traced, but the symptoms were mild and
responded rapidly to treatment.
Bacteriological Examinations.—Specimens taken by medical
practitioners are forwarded to the laboratories of the Royal Institute
of Public Health and to the Camberwell Research Laboratories.
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