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The ages of the 31 cases which proved to be Cerebro-Spinal Fever were as follows
Under 1 year of age 3
Between 1 and 2 years of age 3
„ 2 „ 3 „ „ 3
„ 3 „ 4 „ „ 4
„ 4 „ 5 „ „ 1
„ 5 „ 10 „ „ 2
„ 10 „ 15 „ „ 1
„ 15 „ 20 „ „ 0
„ 20 ,, 35 ,, „ 10
„ 35 „ 45 „ „ 2
„ 45 „ 65 „ „ 2
The months in which the 31 cases occurred were as follows :—
December, 1939 1
January, 1940 2
February, 1940 6
March, 1940 6
April, 1940 2
May, 1940 2
June, 1940 4
July, 1940 0
August, 1940 0
September, 1940 4
October, 1940 1
November, 1940
December, 1940 1
Five of these 31 cases which proved to be Cerebro-Spinal Fever died. These patients were aged
4 years, 11 years (a brother and sister who took ill on the same day), 23 years, 2 years, 33 years.
In addition there were 3 further deaths from Cerebro-Spinal Fever in Willesden residents.
Three cases were notified as Encephalitis Lethargica. None of these were found in hospital
to be suffering from Encephalitis Lethargica. One died, the death being certified as due to Tuberculous
Meningitis.
Whooping Cough.—82 cases were notified during the year but a total of 124 cases coming
to their knowledge were visited by the Health Visitors, 91 of which occurred in children under 5 years
of age. There were 2 deaths from Whooping Cough, one a child under 1 year of age, and one a child
between 1 and 5 years of age.
Measles.— 294 cases were notified during the year but 430 cases were visited by the Health
Visitors. 268 of the 430 cases visited occurred in children under 5 years of age. There were 3 deaths
from Measles, all in children between 1 and 5 years of age.
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS.
Municipal Centres.—On the outbreak of war one of the Council's three Municipal Health
Centres—Health Centre (3)—was closed as a Health Centre and brought into use as a First Aid Post
as stated in last year's Annual Report. During 1940 the Maternity and Child Welfare Work for the
whole of Willesden had to continue to be carried out at the two remaining Health Centres, as the
Government Departments have not yet sanctioned the arrangements for its much needed return to use
as a Health Centre.
At the Municipal Centres, expectant mothers attended the medical consultations and treatment
Clinics on 15,389 occasions; nursing mothers 22,831 and children under five 40,992, making a total
of 79,212 attendances.
Out of the total number of 2,315 children registered as born alive during the year, 1,768 or
76 per cent. subsequently attended the Municipal Welfare Centres. 277 children between the ages of
1 and 5 years attended the Municipal Centres for the first time during the year, excluding transfers
from other districts.
Government Evacuation Scheme—Expectant Mothers.—The registration of expectant
mothers for evacuation during the last month of pregnancy under the Government's Evacuation
Scheme was carried out at the Health Centres in accordance with the Government plan.
Maternity Hospital—
Bookings.—1,141 patients were booked during 1940 for confinement in the Willesden
Maternity Hospital. This is the largest number yet booked in any year. The fees at which these
1,141 cases were booked varied from 2 at £15 to 382 free. The average fee per case was approximately
£2 5s. l½d.