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 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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71
Puerperal Infections.
The 18 cases of Puerperal Infections which were admitted during the year may be classified
as follows
Local Uterine Sepsis 8
Phlebitis 2
Septicaemia 1
Phlebitis with gangrene of the leg 1
Pelvic Cellulitis 1
Uterine Haemorrhage 1
Trauma—Cervix 1
Subinvolution of Uterus 1
Mammary Abscess 1
Mastitis 1
The case of septicaemia was due to a streptococcal infection and eventually recovered after a
prolonged illness. All the other cases also recovered.
Scarlet Fever.
The number of cases of scarlet fever treated in hospital during the year reached the high
figure of 777. In the great majority of these patients the disease was of a moderate or mild type,
but a few septic and toxic cases were admitted. Five deaths occurred. Two of these were due to
streptococcal septicaemia with septic arthritis affecting several of the large joints, two were due to
pneumonia and the fifth died the day after admission to hospital from endocarditis and pericarditis.
Whooping Cough.
Twenty-seven cases were treated and six deaths occurred, all of which were due to pneumonia.
Other Diseases.
| Tonsillitis | 55 | Empyema | 1 |
| Rubella | 17 | Otitis Media | 1 |
| Erythema | 8 | Polio-Encephalitis | 1 |
| Chicken-Pox | 8 | Septic Meningitis | 1 |
| Laryngitis | 8 | Adenitis | 1 |
| Mumps | 6 | Acidosis | 1 |
| Pneumonia | 6 | Nephritis | 1 |
| Ophthalmia Neonatorum | 4 | Arthritis | 1 |
| Septic Rash | 3 | Impetigo | 1 |
| Bronchitis | 3 | Heat Stroke | 1 |
| Rhinitis | 3 | Stomatitis | 1 |
| Mastoiditis | 3 | Rupture of Heart | 1 |
| Quinsy | 3 | Carcinoma | 1 |
| Cellulitis | 3 | Malignant Endocarditis | 1 |
| Dermatitis | 2 | Thrush | 1 |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 2 | Influenza | 1 |
| Vincents Angina | 2 | Acute Gastro-Enteritis | 1 |
| Streptococcal Meningitis | 2 | Bronchiectasis | 1 |
| Drug Rash | 1 | Negative Cases | 9 |
| Total | 166 | ||
| 11 deaths occurred:— | |||
| Pneumonia | 3 | Acute Gastro-Enteritis | 1 |
| Meningitis (Streptococcal) | 2 | Bronchiectasis | 1 |
| Meningitis (Septic) | 1 | Rupture of Heart | 1 |
| Polio-Encephalitis | 1 | Malignant Endocarditis | 1 |
Sick Staff.
Seven cases of infectious disease occurred amongst members of the nursing staff, namely
Diphtheria 2, Measles 2, Mumps 2 and Rubella 1.
No cases of infectious disease occurred amongst the domestic staff.
Duration of Stay in Hospital.
(1) Scarlet Fever.
The average length of detention of scarlet fever patients in hospital is about the same as last
year, and we have probably reached the lowest average it is possible to attain having regard to the
minimum period of stay in hospital which is 28 days.
Average stay in hospital of scarlet fever patients during recent years:—
1926—47.2 1933—32.1
1928—37.0 1934—33.3