Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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however, heralded a very big incidence of cases—the highest
during the period under review—during the first six months of
1928, Practically no cases occurred after this exacerbation, until
March, 1929, but during this month, and April, May and June,
1929, a number of cases occurred from when the incidence dropped
away until the end of the year. Another wave of considerable
intensity commenced abruptly during the last week of February,
1930, reaching its maximum in the second week of March and
dying away gradually until terminating at the end of June.
During 1931, Measles was quite inconspicuous; but in 1932 there
was a sharp rise in cases in the second week in April which reached
a maximum in the last week in June, falling then rapidly. The
beginning of another wave showed itself at the end of November
and the cases were steadily increasing in number for the rest of
the year. The measles waves, therefore, were as follows: the
first half of 1924, the second half of 1925, and the first quarter of
1926; the first half of 1928, the first half of 1929, the first half of
1930, and the first half of 1932. Measles was rather prevalent
during the first quarter of 1933, dropping rapidly during the
second quarter and not becoming noticeable again until December.
The characteristics of the Measles curves were their abrupt rises
and rather less abrupt falls. Measles was again prevalent during
the first half of 1934 with peak incidences in February and May.
A very rapid decline at the end of July was followed by a low
incidence for the rest of the year. In 1935 a minor wave occurred
during February and March, and then declined until early in
November, when there was a sudden sharp rise which reached its
maximum at the end of the year. This foretold the severe epidemic
which swept over Croydon during the first quarter of 1936. This
epidemic came to an abrupt end in the middle of April, and
throughout the rest of the year practically no cases arose. Early
in March, 1937, it became prevalent again, reaching a maximum
in the middle of April; it then fell rapidly, but a second wave
occurred during July. The incidence then fell and remained
low until December, when a fresh wave commenced, increasing
in height until the end of the year. The greatest number of
rases brought to our notice was 73 in the week ending April 10th.
Chicken Pox.—A small wave of cases occurred during the
half of 1924, followed by a higher wave covering the last
quarter of 1924 and the first half of 1925; another irregular wave
was experienced during the first half of 1926, followed by a
secondary in the last quarter. During 1927 and 1928 there was a
fairly high and steady incidence with a peak in October and
November, 1927. Another wave came during the latter half of