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7
Scarlet Fever.—The notifications numbered 94, the lowest figure for some
years. The disease was of a mild type and there were no deaths.
Enteric Fever.—There were 5 cases notified, none of which calls for special
comment. There were no deaths.
Cerebro-Sbinal (Spotted) Fever.—The notifications received numbered 7. Of
the 7, 3 had died before notification was received.
The first notification came to hand on 15th January, the total number for that
month being 1. In each of the months of February, March, April, June, September,
October and December there was also 1 case. Of the patients, 2 were males and
5 females; 1 was less than 1 year old and 1 less than 2; 1 was aged 3, one 8, the
remaining 3 being adults (women) aged 40, 42 and 55. Of the cases, 5 proved fatal,
viz : a boy of 3, a giri aged 4 months and the three women referred to.
There was no connection between the various cases and none of them gave rise
to further cases amongst persons immediately in contact with them. In each
instance an attempt was made to trace the source of infection, but with comparatively
little success. As far as possible all contacts were swabbed, and in 3 instances a
positive result was obtained. None of the persons showed any symptoms either
before or after the discovery of the presence of the germs and subsequent
examinations gave negative results.
Erysipelas.—Of this disease 54 cases were notified, mainly from the Workhouse
Infirmary and other institutions Erysipelas was stated to be the cause of death in
5 cases.
Puerperal Fever.—One notification was received. The patient recovered.
Ophthalmia Neonatormn.—The total number of cases notified was 21, as
against 11 in 1916. Visits were paid to all cases by the women inspectors.
Measles and German Measles.—Measles which had been more or less epidemic
in 1915, but had quietened down somewhat in 1916, attained markedly epidemic
proportions in 1917. Under the regulations which came into force in 1916, 2171
notifications were received (measles, 1632; German measles, 539), the total for
1916, being 461.
Part of the increase in the number of cases reported was, it' is probable, due to
the fact that the necessity for notifying had become better known ; at the same time,
however, there is no doubt that during the year there was a. sharp and widespread
epidemic and few families escaped.
The deaths numbered 95, as against 7 in 1916 and 53 in 1915. No fewer than
16 of the deaths occurred amongst babies under 1 year age of whom only 66 were
notified as suffering. As already stated, the fact that measles directly or indirectly
caused so many deaths amongst the babies accounts for the high rate of infantile
mortality registered during the year.
The amount of work done in connection with the outbreak was very great.
Practically every case was visited by the Health Visitors. Particular
attention was given to such as occurred in tenement houses, and under an agreement
entered into between the Council and the Paddington and Marylebone Nursing
Association the services of a nurse were obtained in cases in which the attack
was severe. The number of cases dealt with in this way was 260 and the amount
expended £80 Is. 4d.