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Fever have been admitted. It is worthy of note that only 3 deaths from Scarlet Fever occurred during
the year out of 1,508 cases notified, while 62 deaths of Diphtheria were reported out of 767 notified
cases of Diphtheria.
Return Cases of Scarlet Fever.—The following statement gives the return cases that have
occurred during 1921:—
I. Home Cases.—Approximately 581.
(a) No. of infecting cases giving rise to return cases not longer than
28 days after release from isolation 8
„ return cases they gave rise to 9
„ infecting cases per cent. of total home cases 1.4
„ return cases per cent. of total home cases 1.5
(b) No. of infecting cases giving rise to return cases more than 28
days after release from isolation 9
„ return cases they gave rise to 9
„ infecting cases per cent. of total home cases 1.5
„ return cases per cent. of total home cases 1.5
II. Hospital Cases.—Approximately 927.
[Note.—907 Municipal Hospital cases plus approximately 20 in other hospital cases, e.g., M.A.B.
London Fever Hospital, etc.]
(a) No. of infecting cases giving rise to return cases not longer than
28 days after discharge 56
„ return cases they gave rise to 83
[Note.—7 of these occurred after the 28 days, but the first return case had occurred within the
28 days.]
No. of infecting cases per cent. of total hospital cases 6.0
„ return cases per cent of total hospital cases 9.0
(b) No. of infecting Cases giving rise to return cases more than 28
days after discharge 21
„ return cases they gave rise to 28
„ infecting cases per cent. of total hospital cases 2.3
„ return cases per cent. of total hospital cases 3.0
It will be noted that return cases occurred alike after hospital treatment and home treatment,
but that the percentage is greater after hospital treatment as shewn from the above figures. Any
general conclusions made on the small number of cases presented are apt to be misleading, but the
greater number of return cases resulting from hospital treatment is what epidemiologists and clinicians
would expect. No doubt the segregation of cases of infectious disease exposes such cases to the risk
of septic infection from other cases, thus rendering them more liable to retain infection for long periods.
Puerperal Fever.—During the year 7 cases of puerperal fever were notified and investigated.
In 5 cases a private doctor was in attendance at birth, and in 1 case a midwife was in attendance
at birth. The remaining case was a miscarriage, where a doctor was called in, and the patient
was afterwards removed to the Infirmary. One case was removed to the Municipal Hospital and
recovered; 4 cases were removed to other hospitals and the Infirmary, 3 of these recovered, and 1 was
still under treatment at the end of the year, while 2 cases treated at home by private doctors recovered.
Pneumonia.—118 cases of this disease were notified under the Public Health (Pneumonia)
Regulations, and 127 deaths from Pneumonia were recorded in Willesden. A circular letter was sent
to medical practitioners on the 24th January, 1922, calling their attention to the requirements of the
Regulations as to notification.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—Forty cases of this disease were notified and investigated during
the year ; 24 of these cases were attended by a doctor at the confinement and 16 by a midwife; 3 of
these cases were still under treatment at the end of the year, 1 at home, 1 in the Municipal Hospital,
and 1 in another hospital. In 35 cases the length of treatment varied from 7 days to 126 days and the
eyesight was unimpaired, while in the 2 remaining cases one eye was permanently injured and one of
the cases was still under observation and treatment at the end of the year for the left eye.
SANITARY WORK.
During the year 1921, 3,371 complaints were received as to the condition of premises, and the
same have received attention.
One thousand and fifty-five Bake-houses, Milkshops, Laundries, Worshops, Factories and
similar places are under periodical inspection by the Sanitary Inspectors.
Three hundred and fifty visits were made to premises where foodstuffs are sold or stored.
Two hundred and fifty-one applications were granted by the Council under the Rent Restriction
Act of 1920, and 45 refused.
Four thousand one hundred and fifty-two notices have been served requiring the remedying of
insanitary conditions. These are now complied with without the delay which was experienced during
the War and the following year or so, and generally it may be stated that the pre-War standard of
housing conditions in Willesden will soon be attained again. In only eight cases has it been necessary
for the Council to take legal proceedings to enforce the notices served.
During the year the Council framed new Bye-laws relating to Slaughter Houses, and these
were duly approved by the Ministry of Health and are now in operation.