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39
Whooping Cough.
The number of deaths which occurred from whooping cough during 1912 was
exactly half that for 1911—15 as against 30.
Epidemics of this disease very commonly run concurrently with those of measles
so that it is not surprising to find that there is a diminution in connection with each.
In many respects the disease resembles measles. It is, for example, a disease of
children, and all the 15 deaths which occurred were of children under 5 years of age.
Of the 15, 6 were less than 1 year old, 3 less than 2 but more than 1, and 6 were
aged from 2 to 5 years.
The arrangements made by the Metropolitan Asylums Board in connection with
admission to hospitals of patients suffering from whooping cough are the same as in
the case of measles. During 1912 the number admitted was 31.
Glanders.
No case of glanders in the human being was notified during the year, and no
notices of outbreaks of the disease in stables in the borough were received from the
London County Council.
Chicken Pox.
This disease being no longer notifiable in 1912, the only information with
regard to it came from the schools. The numbers reported and the schools affected
are given in the table on page 38.
Polio-Encephalitis and Myelitis.
These diseases remained notifiable during the year. The total number notified
was 3. The patients were all less than 5 years old and all 3 cases occurred in Christ
Church sub-registration district. Only 1 was isolated at home, the other 2 being
admitted to hospital. All the patients recovered.
Special investigations were made in each case, and a return regarding each
sent to the London County Council.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
This disease—inflammation of the eyes in newly born children—made notifiable
by order of the London County Council in 1911, continued to be so during the whole
of 1912. The total number of cases notified was 19, as against 21 in 1911 (9 months
only). Visits were paid to all notified cases, none of which were particularly
serious, by the women inspectors. In one or two cases it was found necessary to
draw the attention of midwives to the fact that cases of eye inflammation had been
detected amongst infants attended by them, and to remind them of the necessity of
notifying the condition.
Phthisis.
The outstanding features of 1912, so far as consumption is concerned, were the
coming into force of the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1911, which