London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Kingston upon Thames 1928

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]

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18
isolated, and the outbreak definitely ceased after the action
taken. In general, the procedure consisted of the examination
and swabbing of contacts. In certain instances, such
as the outbreak at Tiffin Boys' School, this action apparently
met with success, but in other instances the disease was
not so successfully controlled. Immunisation against Diphtheria
and Schick testing is not, at present, offered in
the Borough, and it appears doubtful at the present time
whether parents would take advantage of such offer for the
protection of their children. Further, it should be noted that
additional medical staff would be necessary to carry out this
work.
ENTERIC FEVER (Including Paratyphoid).
Seven cases were notified during the year. Of these, 5
were notified as Typhoid and 2 as Paratyphoid B. Very
careful inquiries were made into each case, but the sources
of infection were not definitely traced.
ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS.
One case occurred during the year in a female child,
aged 5 years, who was notified on January 7th. Paralysis
of the left leg resulted from the attack. The child has
been seen by the Orthopaedic Specialist at the Red Cross
Curative Post, and is having massage treatment three times
a week.
ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA.
Four cases were notified during the year. Of this
number, 3 died, but according to the Registrar-General,
however, only 1 death was attributed to Encephalitis Lethargica
as a primary cause. It is of interest that 2 of the
cases (a boy of 14 years and a girl of 12 years) occurred
within a fortnight of primary vaccination, at a time when
a great number of vaccinations were being carried out owing
to the presence of Smallpox in the Borough. Very careful
investigations were made into these cases, in collaboration
with a Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, but there
was no positive proof of any direct connection between the
Encephalitis and vaccination,