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present protective routine, it is probable that the incidence would be higher still, that there
would be a greater proportion of true or " grave " cases, and that " Impaired Vision " and
" Blindness " would result more commonly.
The rate of incidence of Ophthalmia Neonatorum was twice as high among illegitimate
as among legitimately born babies in the Borough in 1930.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGIC A.
Five cases were notified, but on further investigation two were found to have
been incorrectly diagnosed. Three additional cases, not previously notified in this Borough,
were brought to notice during the year by means of death certificates. There were, therefore,
six genuine cases and five deaths.
PNEUMONIA.
This disease is a frequent complication of other diseases, but when occurring in that
manner is not notifiable.
The notifiable forms of Pneumonia are Acute Primary and Acute Influenzal Pneumonia.
170 cases of the former and 24 of the latter were notified during the year (as compared
with 250 and 208 cases respectively during the previous year). If requested by the medical
attendant, a visiting nurse is supplied in necessitous cases at the cost of the Borough Council.
During the year 48 cases were nursed under this arrangement, 688 nursing visits being paid.
MALARIA.
Two cases were notified. On further investigation the diagnosis of one was not
confirmed. The other case was that of a soldier who had probably contracted the disease
abroad.
DYSENTERY.
One case was notified. It was of the amoebic type, and had been contracted abroad.
MEASLES AND GERMAN MEASLES.
These diseases were made compulsorily notifiable throughout the country in 191G under
the Public Health (Measles and German Measles) Regulations, 1915, but were revoked by the
Ministry of Health in 1919. The St. Pancras Borough Council were satisfied as to the value
of notification, and intimated to the Ministry the desire to continue the practice. This was
granted, and notification became compulsory under the Metropolitan Boroughs of Lambeth
and St. Pancras (Measles and German Measles) Regulations, 1920.
Under these Regulations all cases are notifiable by parents and guardians, but only the
first case occurring in an outbreak in a household or institution is notifiable by medical
practitioners, an interval of two months since the last case constituting a new outbreak. The
following details, tables and chart have been prepared by Dr. P. V. Pritchard, Assistant
Medical Officer, and demonstrate several important and interesting facts about measles.
Table I. gives the gross figures as regards incidence and deaths. These may be misleading,
and they have therefore been worked out in Table II. as Incidence and Mortality Rates. On
Table III. these calculations are expressed by two graphs.
The tendency for the disease to be prevalent in alternate years is very evident,
especially when followed graphically. The third and fourth quarters of the year are always
comparatively free, but frequently a rise commences in December and is continued in the first,
and generally, but to a less extent, in the second quarter. The wave in December is frequently
seen just prior to an "epidemic year." The value of this knowledge is obvious. On the
warning signs of a rise, the machinery to combat an epidemic is put to work in a more
particular manner, Leaflets explaining the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of the disease