London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Barking 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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62
(b) Scarlet Fever.—The number of cases notified was 178 compared with 1C1
the previous year. One fatal ease occurred. 158 cases were isolated at the local
Infectious Diseases Hospital. The average stay of scarlet fever cases in the
Barking Hospital was 49.5 days, compared with 42.3 days in 19.31. The longest
period of detention was 120 days and the shortest 20 days.
The length of treatment necessary for scarlet fever is a question which has
received my consideration during the year.
I feel that, whilst we have such a large number of cases who cannot hojie to go
away to recuperate after leaving the Hospital, we are well advised not to shorten
the period of hospital treatment too much ; so too I feel that the number of homes
in Barking where scarlet fever can be conveniently nursed arc so few that we have
little opportunity of nursing these cases or supervising them at home.
Sex.—88 cases were male and 90 female.
No relationship has been traced between cases of scarlet fever and puerperal
fever.
(c)
| Diseases. | No. Notified. | No. of Deaths. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaria | _ | _ | ||
| Dysentery | _ | _ | ||
| Pneumonia | Acute Influenzal. | 34 | 84 | 37 |
| Acute Primaiy | 50 | |||
In addition, 44 cases of pneumonia supervening upon measles were notified
under the Barking Town (Pneumonia) Regulations, 1924.
(d) Smallpox.—There have been 5 cases of smallpox during the year 3 932.
This figure is the same as that for 1931. All 5 cases were of a mild type.
(e) Encephalitis Lethargica.—Two cases of encephalitis lethargica were notified
during the year.