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 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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(6) Rheumatism.—1 child with an apical systolic bruit of the heart was an old standing case
of rheumatism, which has since left the district. The other was considered to be pre-rheumatic in type
and is scheduled for re-examination in 3 months' time.
(7) Skin Conditions.—1 child had lichen urticatus and another pityriasis alba. Both cleared
up under treatment.
The Incidence of Infectious Disease.
Chicken pox was prevalent in the Lower Place area during the Autumn, and Measles after
Christmas.
The following table shows the incidence of Infectious Disease in the nursery school, and in the Infant and Mixed schools, since the opening of the nursery classes 12 months ago.
| Infectious Diseases. | Lower Place Nursery School. | Lower Place Mixed and Infants School. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Cases. | No. of Scholars. | No. of Cases. | No. of Scholars. | |
| Measles | 14 | 25 | ||
| Chicken Pox | 10 | 36 | ||
| Whooping Cough | 13 | 60 | 15 | 363 |
| Mumps | 6 | 22 | ||
| Diphtheria | 4 | 7 | ||
| Scarlet Fever | 1 | 1 | ||
In 8 of the 10 cases of Chicken pox occurring in the nursery school, the source of the infection
was definitely traced to the home, where some member of the family was suffering or had suffered
from it.
It is at the age period of 2 to 5 years that Measles proves most fatal, but except for 2 who
developed lung complications from which they recovered, the remaining 12 children in the nursery
school had mild attacks.