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

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Walthamstow 1935

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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62
The percentage of cases removed to Hospital during
1935 was 80.1, against 75.2 in 1934. No case was refused
admission.
Reference is made in the report for the year 1933 by the
Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health to the growing
realisation that scarlet fever is only one manifestation
of infection with the hæmolytic streptococcus, others being
tonsillitis and puerperal fever. The question of return cases
is discussed; stress is laid on the part played by antitoxin in
expediting cure, and lessening the risks of cross-infection by
discharge from hospital in the fourth week: The occurrence
of cross-infection or a return case is not evidence of neglect,
and discharge of an uncomplicated case in the fourth week is
good practice.
Recent American experience suggests that the strict
quarantine (i.e., hospital isolation) of scarlet fever patients
prevents neither endemics nor epidemics, because too many
patients remain carriers after release from quarantine (up
to 45 per cent.four months after release). The statement
further claims that scarlet fever quarantine is based more on
tradition and expediency than on scientific facts.
DIPHTHERIA.
A total of 163 cases of Diphtheria was notified during
1935, as compared with 274 in 1934.

The following tables show the incidence by months, ages and wards:—

Month.All Ages.Under 1 yr.1-5 yrs.5-15 yrs.15-25 yrs.25-45 yrs.45-65 yrs.65 & over.
January24-9141---
February30-624--
March11-371---
April17-762-1-
May4-13-
June1--1---
July3-3--
August22-10912
September8-43-1
October12-1101
November18-21411-
December13-823
Totals1935163151961032
193427475717126112