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
Ilford 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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63
The small outbreak occurring at Little Heath in June was of
a very mild type, and no deaths took place from cases in that
area. Some difficulty was experienced with children either found
at school to be "carrying" the diphtheria bacillus in their nose
or throat, or whose length of stay in Hospital was prolonged
from such cause. Most of such cases were treated with diphtheria
vaccine. Recently vaccine of the "detoxicated" variety has been
used and has given most satisfactory results. I found it necessary
to operate on two of the cases who were children suffering from
adenoids.
SCARLET FEVER.
Of 225 cases admitted during the year one death occurred,
giving a death-rate of 4.4 per 1,000. The fatal case was of the
"toxic" variety, fortunately a rare type of Scarlet Fever to
occur. Most cases were of a mild type.
The following table shows the fatality of Scarlet Fever anc} Diphtheria for the past five years:—
| 1916. | 1917. | 1918. | 1919. | 1920. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Fever | — | — | 13.5 | — | 4.4 |
| Diphtheria | 4.0 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 5.4 |
Such a table is only useful in showing the variability of the
virulence of the disease in each year.
INFLUENZAL PNEUMONIA.
Two cases were admitted, both of which died within a short
period of their admission to Hospital. The removal of such cases
to hospital should only be advised where the home conditions
make nursing there quite impossible.
SCABIES.
Six children were admitted, having been sent from the School
Clinic as intractable cases, and were discharged cured within a
few days. If more hospital accommodation were available the
number of such cases attending at the School Clinic would be
rapidly reduced,