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47
As usual, the age groups 1—5 and 5—15 were those most affected, 50 of
the cases falling into the former and 39 in the latter group.
Six applications for a free supply of antitoxin under the Diphtheria Antitoxin
(London) Order, 1910, were received.
The nuisances detected during the course of investigating the notified cases
were : Dirty Premises, etc., 15. These were all remedied after service of notices.
Scarlet Fever.
The notifications of this disease numbered 168. That there is a tendency for
scarlet fever to show epidemic tendencies at intervals of five years, more or less,
is well known. In St. Marylebone the last year in which there was marked prevalence
was 1921 when the cases numbered 478. The figure for 1925 is the lowest
since then, the fall having been steady year by year.
The highest number of cases reported in any one week it may be noted was 7.
The total deaths from scarlet fever numbered 2, and the number of deaths
per cent. of the cases was 1.2.
The districts to suffer most from this disease were Christ Church and All
Souls. In the former there were 55 cases and in the latter 46. In St. Mary there
were 29 and in St. John 38.
As usual, the majority of the patients were children of school age, the age
group, 5—15, giving over one-half (87) of the total. Of the remainder 47 were
aged between 1 and 5 years, and 33 over 15 years of age.
The source of infection was believed to be a previous case in the same family
in 22 cases and in 6 cases in an institution.
Though it seemed probable that many of the children notified acquired their
infection in school, it was only in 8 instances that a definite connection could be
made out.
Defects in sanitation to the number of 24 were discovered. All these were
want of cleanliness, etc. The nuisances were remedied after the service of notice
in each case.
Enteric Fever and Paratyphoid Fever.
The notifications of Enteric Fever numbered 14. There were two deaths. Of
Paratyphoid Fever there were 3 cases. All the patients recovered. From
the grouping of the cases it appeared probable that the source of infection was
a common one. In spite of all efforts, however, the origin remained undiscovered.
Cerebro-Spinal Fever.
Two cases of this disease were notified during the year.
Encephalitis Lethargica.
There were 2 cases of this disease notified. Both the patients died.