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SUMMARY OF SMALL-POX FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1931.
The customary disinfection, where necessary, was carried out, and those persons, resident
or employed in the City, who had been in contact with cases of Small-pox, were supervised.
The total number of cases (including missed cases) notified or reported to this Department
during the period ended 31st December, 1931, was 70.
Resident and removed from City premises 1
Resident in the City but removed from premises or institutions outside the
City 0
Non-resident but removed from City premises 1
Non-resident but removed from St. Bartholomew's Hospital 8
Non-resident but employed in the City 55
Non-resident but who attended the O.P. Department, St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, and who were diagnosed as suffering from Chicken-pox and
sent home, being subsequently removed by local Medical Officers of
Health as suffering from Small-pox 5
Non-resident but employed in the City, who were contacts to other cases,
and who, for the latter reason, had been instructed by their employers
to remain away from work. (Not included in total number of cases
above) 14
Returned as " Not Small-pox ":—
(a) Non-residents but employed in the City 3
(b) Non-residents removed from O.P. Department of St.
mew's Hospital 0
The total number of persons in contact with cases ascertained or notified during the
period ended 31st December, 1931, was 1,237, made up as follows:—
Notified to this Department by Medical Officers of Health of the districts
from which the cases were removed:—
(a) City residents 9
(b) Non-residents employed in the City 368
In contact with cases resident in the City or removed from City premises
(including St. Bartholomew's Hospital):—
(a) City residents 8
(b) Non-residents 103
In contact with cases not resident but employed in the City and notified to
the appropriate Medical Officers of Health if resident outside the City:—
(a) City residents 0
(b) Non-residents 749
NURSING PROVISIONS.
Measles, etc.—The Corporation has approved of the expenditure of £25 per annum in
respect of the nursing of complicated cases of Measles, Encephalitis Lethargica and Cerebrospinal
Fever, and have also agreed to expend the sum of £30 on provision of medical assistance
and nursing attendance in necessitous cases of Influenza. No action was necessary under
this heading during 1931.
DISTRIBUTION OF DIPHTHERIA ANTI-TOXIN AND ANTI-INFLUENZA VACCINE.
Although City medical practitioners are well aware of the facilities available, no applications
for supplies of diphtheria anti-toxin or anti-influenza vaccine were received during 1931.
Examination for Pathogenic Bacteria.—During the year the following specimens were so
dealt with. It will be seen that positive results were obtained in about 12 per cent. of these
cases. Result.
Specimen. Disease suspected. Positive. Negative.
28 Swabbings from throats Diphtheria 3 25
9 Sputa Tuberculosis 1 8
1 Blood Typhoid Fever - 1
One throat swabbing was received from the Central Foundation School for Girls, Spital
Square, E.C., which proved to be negative of diphtheria bacilli.
PROVISION OF INSULIN.
In accordance with the request made by the Authorities of the University College
Hospital, Insulin has been supplied to one patient resident in the City, and in attendance
at that hospital. The Corporation have power to make this provision under Section 77
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, with the approval of the Ministry of Health, but,
so far as I am aware, this is the first patient in regard to whom such powers have been put
into operation. The arrangement has worked satisfactorily.
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