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Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia .
Forty-nine cases were notified, compared with 36 in 1930 and 53 in 1929. In
41 instances the notification was Puerperal Pyrexia. In four instances the disease
was a sequel to abortion.
Treatment. The Council's scheme for the diagnosis and treatment of these
diseases provides for a Consultant, for Nursing assistance, for Hospital treatment
and for bacteriological examination where necessary. During the year Mr. Harold
Taylor saw two cases. Nursing assistance was provided in one case and no bacteriological
examinations were carried out. Only seven cases did not receive
hospital treatment.
Deaths. There were six deaths, compared with four in 1930 and three in 1929.
Erysipelas, Malaria and Dysentery.
The number of notifications of Erysipelas received was 80, compared with
77 in 1930. Three cases of Malaria, including one induced for therapeutic purposes,
were notified. No notification was received in respect of Dysentery.
Small Pox
During 1931 there was a great decrease in the number of cases of this disease
in the Metropolis. In all, only 1,452 were notified, as compared with 5,152 in
1930. Cases were notified in all the Metropolitan Boroughs, except Chelsea,
Hampstead and Paddington. In fourteen others, however, there were less than
10 cases. The incidence was heaviest in Stepney (352), Lambeth (256), Bethnal
Green (144), and Shoreditch (122).
Three cases were notified in Woolwich, but in two instances the diagnosis was
not confirmed. There were no deaths. The smallpox shelter was not in use during
the year.
No persons were vaccinated by the Medical Officer of Health under the provisions
of the Public Health (Smallpox Prevention) Regulations, 1917. In every
instance vaccination or revaccination was offered to all contacts by the local public
vaccinators.
Chicken Pox.
This disease was made compulsorily notifiable in April, 1930, and continued
so until the 30th September, 1931. During the first nine months of the year,
672 notifications were received.