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2. Considerable negative and adverse criticism, much of which was
ill-informed and unjustified, was forthcoming at a time when those
in control were already overburdened by the work produced by the
epidemic. How far this resulted from the publicity cannot be estimated,
but such criticism as was justifiable and constructive might with
advantage have been postponed until the epidemic had abated, although,
of course, positive and helpful suggestions on the prevention of disease
are always appreciated.
3. As is well known, the outbreak resulted in the first Public
Inquiry ever held in this Country under such circumstances, which
Inquiry opened before the epidemic had ceased. The proceedings and
findings of the Inquiry have been made public, but it will be for the future
to judge whether the immense amount of time, work and money involved
justified this form of investigation, or whether the results might not have
been equally well achieved, much more simply, by other and less costly
procedure.
PARATYPHOID FEVER.
There were two notifications of paratyphoid fever received during
the year, in addition to the 3 cases notified as typhoid and subsequently
found to be paratyphoid fever. The cases were distributed throughout
the year and over the District.
Four cases were removed to Hospital, 2 to the Wandle Valley
Isolation Hospital where, unfortunately, one case terminated fatally.
In no case was the source of the infection discovered.
SCARLET FEVER.
As was anticipated in the last Report, after three years of increased
incidence a distinct fall in the number of cases can be reported, only
62 having been notified, compared with 117, 124 and 119 in the previous
three years.
As waves of this disease have occurred at intervals of about seven
years, it is hoped that even lower figures will be recorded during the
next few years.
As in 1934 and 1936, Coulsdon West was the Ward most affected,
hence the proportion of cases treated in Hospital was again relatively
high, a total of 50 cases being admitted during the year.
Four cases occurred in the Mental Hospitals.
Just over half the cases were in persons not in attendance at school,
and a high proportion of these had probably contracted the disease
outside the District. The influence of contact at school was negligible,
only 3 cases having possibly been infected in this way. Three cases
were " Return Cases " following the discharge from Hospital of patients
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