Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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91
Smallpox.
During 1932 the decrease in the incidence in this disease in the Metropolis
continued. In all 1,233 cases were notified, as compared with 1,452 in 1931, and
5,152 in 1930. The incidence was highest in Lambeth, Poplar, Islington and
Southwark.
Seven cases were notified in Woolwich, and the diagnosis was confirmed in each
case. There were no deaths. The Smallpox shelter was not in use during the year.
No person was 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.
Erysipelas, Malaria and Dysentery.
The number of notifications of Erysipelas received was 44, compared with 80
in 1931. One case of Dysentery was notified and two of Malaria : no case of induced
Malaria was notified.
Enteric Fever.
Three cases were notified. One of these died. A second death occurred outside
London, but was transferred to Woolwich in accordance with the usual rule of the
Registrar General as the normal home address was here. It will be noted from the
following Table, which gives details of each case notified, that the diagnosis was not
confirmed in one instance.
TABLE No. 66.
No. | Date Notified. | Diagnosis. | Final Diagnosis. | Remarks. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3rd February | Enteric Fever | Enteritis | — |
2 | 11th April | Typhoid Fever | Typhoid Fever | Died. |
3 | 8th November | Paratyphoid "B" | Paratyphoid "B" | — |
Anterior Poliomyelitis.
Six notifications were received and all cases were admitted to hospital. The
diagnosis was configmed in three of the patients aged 1, 15 and 18 respectively, but
the hospital diagnosis of the other three cases was Acute Rheumatism, Sub-acute
Rheumatism, and No Obvious Disease. It was not necessary to provide nursing
assistance for any of these cases during the year.
Cerebro-spinal Meningitis.
I ifteen cases were notified during the year, but in two instances the diagnosis was
not confirmed although one of these was diagnosed as a meningococcal carrier. The
following Table, No. 67, shows the details of each case.