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
Willesden 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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It will be seen that a larger number of cases of Scarlet Fever were notified than has been the
case since 1914, the incidence rate likewise being greater than it has been since 1914. This increase
in incidence was associated with a fatality rate of 11, which is relatively low.
The prevalence of the disease was general throughout the country, and not confined to Willesden
or any particular area.
Owing to the tax on the Hospital accommodation in all directions, it has been again impossible
to admit to Hospital all cases of Scarlet Fever desiring removal. Hospital removal for Scarlet Fever
had to be curtailed in October, 1920, after which time only the most urgent cases were removed.
From then to the end of the year, cases of Scarlet Fever were nursed at home wherever practicable.
In such cases and in cases where removal was delayed, when application has been made, proper
expenses incurred whilst nursing the cases at home have been allowed by the Council.
Since the 2nd October, 1920, out of 339 cases notified, 153, or 45 per cent., were removed to
hospital. These were not all removed as soon as notified, but as and when beds were available.
A count was taken from time to time of the number of cases of Scarlet Fever being nursed
at home in the district. The greatest number being nursed at home at any one time was 74 on December
7th, 1920.
During the 1919-20 prevalence of Scarlet Fever, 9 cases were granted expenses at a cost of
£2 5s. 6d. per case. During the 1920-21 prevalence, up till 22nd April, 1921, 93 cases had been
allowed expenses amounting to £214 7s. 9d. or £2 6s. Id. per case.
It is unsatisfactory that all cases needing or desiring removal to Hospital should not be
admitted—
(1) for the welfare of the patient;
(2) on account in most cases of the inconvenience and expense of nursing the cases at
home;
(3) on account of employers, in some instances, being unwilling for other members of
the family to continue, work ; and
(4) on account of the additional length of time scholars have to remain away from School.
A Special Report on the 1920 Epidemics of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria in Willesden appears
in Appendix O.
Table No. 15.
Giving Particulars of Infecting and Return Cases of Scarlet Fever during 1920.
| Initials of Infecting Cases. | No. of days isolated. | Initials of Return Cases. | No. of days elapsing between release from isolation of infecting case and onset of illness of return case. | Notes on Infecting Cases. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.R.C. Mixed case of Scarlet Fever and Nasal Diphtheria | 107 | C.C. Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria | 20 | Persistent rhinorrhœa for protracted period in hospital. Had nasal catarrh after return home. |
| W.C. Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria | 40 | |||
| T.F.J. | 81 | J.F.J. | 10 | Rhinorrhœa during convalescence and after return home. Sub-maxillary cervical glands enlarged. |
| H.E.J. | 14 | |||
| H.C. | 73 | E.C. | 10 | Nasal discharge during convalescence and after return home. |
| F.D. | 60 | W.D. | 12 | |
| L.B. | 52 | IB. | 6 | Slight nasal discharge, sore at base of nostril and behind ear after return home. Had tonsils enlarged and nasal moisture and injection of mucous membrane during convalescence in hospital. |
| A.B. | 7 | |||
| D.C. | 48 | M.C. | 5 | Nasal discharge. |