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Smallpox.—No case of smallpox was reported in London
during 1938.
The Public Health (Smallpox Prevention) Regulations, 1917.—
These regulations empower Medical Officers of Health to perform
vaccination or revaccination of any persons who are willing to be
vaccinated and who have been in immediate contact with individuals
suffering from Smallpox. During the year there arose no occasion
to perform any vaccinations under the regulations.
Vaccination.—The duties under the Vaccination Acts and the
Vaccination Order, 1930, were transferred to the Borough Council
on the 1st April, 1930, and were undertaken by the Public Health
Department.
The Return for 1937 shows that 310 births were registered in
the Borough, of which 138 or 44.5%, were vaccinated, and 123 or
39.7%were exempted from vaccination by reason of Statutory
Declarations of objection to vaccination.
At the close of 1938, 36 cases were outstanding; 18 of these
had removed to other districts, the Vaccination Officers of which
had been duly apprised; and 7 removed to places unknown, leaving
11 cases, or 3.5% unaccounted for.
Scarlet Fever.—During the year 97 cases of this disease were
notified as compared with 91 the previous year. The disease
continued to be of a mild type generally, and there were no fatal cases.
The 14 cases nursed at home were kept under supervision in order
to ensure that the necessary precautions for the prevention of the
spread of the disease were being maintained.
Return Cases.—This definition is applied to cases of Scarlet
Fever which occur in a house within 28 days of the discharge from
hospital of a previous case.
Three return cases occurred during the year and the discharged
patients were examined but showed no signs of being infectious.
The Dick test and active immunisation have not yet been
employed in the Borough.
Diphtheria.—During the year 53 cases of Diphtheria were
notified with 2 deaths as compared with 44 notifications and 1
death the previous year.
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