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During 1949 there was one case of smallpox in St. Pancras. Fortunately we became aware of
it before infection could be spread, but this happy state of affairs cannot always be expected.
It must be remembered, moreover, that three main-line stations bring persons into the area
of St. Pancras every day in the week and to that extent we resemble a port authority. During
the early months of 1950 cases of smallpox occurred in Glasgow, and as a result I was repeatedly
asked to give an opinion on doubtful cases arriving in St. Pancras from all over the country,.
and also from abroad. As things stand, I can only advise parents to take advantage of the
facilities available to them to have their children vaccinated. I have severe doubts as to the
widom of making vaccination non-compulsory.
Scarlet Fever.
It was suggested during the year that scarlet fever, which for many years had taken on
a benign character, was once more becoming virulent and, accordingly, towards the end of the
year I investigated 80 cases notified to me to see whether this was the position.
42 cases were nursed at home. They were all mild, although one was complicated by
chickenpox.
38 cases were removed to hospital. Of these, two were severe, one was complicated
by convulsions, one by enlarged tonsils and one by a weak heart. The complicated cases
were removed to hospital on account of complication, but the two severe cases were removed
owing to home conditions, as were the other 33 cases.
From this small survey I came to the conclusion that scarlet fever had not shown any
increased virulence in the Borough of St. Pancras.
Tuberculosis.
The number of persons suffering from tuberculosis at the beginning of the year was 1,305.
This had increased by 51 to a total of 1,356 by the end of the year. I do not think this
indicates a real increase in the number of tuberculous persons in the Borough, but better and,
I trust, earlier diagnosis. The number of cases notified to me during the year was 352. This
included not only cases notified for the first time but persons already suffering from tuberculosis
who moved into the Borough during the year.
Tuberculosis remains one of the endemic diseases of this country, and it would appear
that, in the Borough of St. Pancras, nearly one per cent, of the population' has already been
notified as suffering from the disease. I therefore thought it wise during the year to review
the Council's duties in connection with tuberculosis and to investigate the conditions under
which persons notified during the year were living and to see what steps might be taken to
improve their environment. A survey was conducted in the compilation of which I had the
help of two of your Sanitary Inspectors, Mr. Cryer and Mr. Engledow. In view of the
importance of drawing attention to the powers of a Borough Council in preventing tuberculosis
and in order that I may give you some indication of what has been achieved, I am setting out
in full in this foreword the report which we presented to the Public Health Committee.
It is as follows:—
Review of Council's duties.
Before the passing of the National Health Service Act of 1946 local authorities had authority under
Section 173 of the Public Health Act, or section 219 of the Public Health (London) Act, to make arrangements
for the treatment of tuberculosis. In that these two sections have been repealed by the National Health
Service Act there has been some impression that all duties in connection with persons suffering from tuberculosis
live been transferred to the regional hospital boards, and that the after care of the tuberculous person rests