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of the profession actually practising or residing in the Borough varies, but is regarded
as being in the neighbourhood of 1,500.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, St. Marylebone, W.l.
22nd November, 1937.
Dear Sir,
Though there appears to be no particular reason to fear an invasion of
typhoid in St. Marylebone, in spite of the presence of the infection in Kensington,
the pronouncement of these leaders of our profession, Lord Dawson of
Penn and Sir Kaye Le Fleming, on the subject of co-operation suggests to me
that it might not be out of place to write to you and offer you an assurance of
my extreme readiness, and that of the whole staff of the Public Health Department,
to receive any help you can render that is likely to secure protection
of the inhabitants of the Borough from this as from any other infection. The
cordial relations that have always existed between us, you may consider, renders
such an assurance unnecessary. It renders unnecessary also the other assurance
that for our part—mine, and that of my colleagues in the Department—we shall
as always be ready to assist you in every way possible in connection with the
isolation and treatment of any who may, unfortunately, become infected.
Of the fact that typhoid fever is one of the diseases of which you as a
medical practitioner are required to make notification to the Medical Officer
of Health immediately you become aware of the existence of the disease—a fee
being payable by the local authority in respect of each notification received—
it is not necessary for me to issue a reminder. Nor, I think, need I remind you
that so far as diagnosis is concerned, the services of the Council's bacteriologist
(Dr. L. E. H. Whitby, C.V.O., M.C.) at the Middlesex Hospital are freely at
your disposal, and I, myself, am ready at any time to see any case of doubt or
difficulty with you—without fee, of course.
I would add that if there is any other direction in which you consider we
could co-operate for the benefit of the people of the Borough and the prevention
of disease, I should be very glad indeed if you would let me know.
Yours sincerely,
Charles Porter,
Medical Officer of Health.
CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER.
There were three cases of this disease notified during the year. One death
was recorded.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA AND POLIO-ENCEPHALITIS.
No notification of either of these diseases was received during the year, but
two deaths of long standing cases of encephalitis lethargica were registered.
ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS.
Two cases of this disease were notified during the year.
ERYSIPELAS.
The notifications of erysipelas numbered 47, no death resulting directly from
the disease. Most of the cases were notified from St. Charles' Hospital and the
general hospitals, and 32 patients were treated in such institutions. In 1936, 28
cases were notified.
PUERPERAL FEVER AND PUERPERAL PYREXIA.
The number of cases of puerperal fever notified was 13. In each case, other
than where the notification was in respect of a non-resident in-patient of an institution,
a visit was paid by one of the health visitors and assistance and advice as