View report page

12
Pneumonia.
There were 231 notifications received. Of these 74 were
influenzal pneumonia.
80 deaths from pneumonia occurred, 5 of which were due to
influenzal pneumonia.
The total of 231 notifications is a considerable increase on the
1952 figure of 128.
The number of deaths was lower, 80 compared with 101 in
1952 when there were 103 less notifications.
Puerperal Pyrexia.

There has been an increase in the number of notifications
since the definition of the term puerperal pyrexia was amended in
1951. Any febrile condition in which the temperature reaches
100.4°F. on any one occasion within 14 days of childbirth or miscarriage
must now be notified. The number of cases notified from
Perivale Hospital represents 4.4% of the total births at that
hospital, while the number notified by private doctors represents
1.5% of the total home confinements. The difference is probably
due partly to the fact that hospital confinement is recommended
where there is reason to think that the confinement may not be
straightforward and partly to the fact that the hospital routine of
recording four hourly thermometer readings contributes to more
accurate detection of raised temperatures.
Scarlet Fever.
This continued to be a very mild form of the disease. 238
notifications were received of which number 233 were confirmed.
Smallpox.
During the year seven people from abroad who may have been
in contact with cases or suspected cases of Smallpox came to
Ealing.
They were all kept under daily surveillance until the end of
the incubation period. Fortunately no case of smallpox developed
in the Borough. The popularity of air travel makes ceaseless
vigilance essential in this matter.