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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
Walthamstow 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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63
MEASLES.
Under the Walthamstow (Measles) Regulations, 1932, all cases
of Measles in children under five years of age are. notifiable, except
secondary cases in the same household or institution within two
months of the primary case.
The year 1936 was an epidemic year, the number of notifications being shown below. In addition, there were 1,656 cases of Measles reported by Head Teachers, and mainly in school children fo 5-14 years.
| Month. | Total. | Under 1yr. | 1-5 yrs. | St. James' Street. | High Street. | Hoe Street. | Wood Street. | Hale End. | Higham Hill. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14 | 1 | 13 | - | 1 | - | 2 | 10 | 1 | |
| February | 115 | 8 | 107 | 25 | 6 | 18 | 17 | 39 | 10 | |
| March | 268 | 12 | 256 | 36 | 27 | 45 | 43 | 38 | 79 | |
| April | 190 | 13 | 177 | 64 | 32 | 19 | 9 | 20 | 46 | |
| May | 60 | 3 | 57 | 17 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 21 | |
| June | 17 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 6 | 5 | |
| July | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | _ | 2 | |
| August | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| September | 2 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | |
| October | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | - | 1 | _ | 1 | - | |
| November | — | — | - | - | — | - | - | - | - | |
| December | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
| Totals | 1936 | 671 | 39 | 632 | 143 | 75 | 95 | 74 | 119 | 165 |
| 1935 | 27 | 4 | 23 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 15 | |
| 1934 | 870 | 48 | 822 | 182 | 108 | 100 | 100 | 130 | 240 | |
| 1933 | 58 | 8 | 50 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 16 | 24 | |
| 1932 | 753 | 37 | 619 | 103 | 122 | 118 | 59 | 112 | 239 | |
In addition, 47 other cases were notified by general practitioners.
The “peak” months were April (274 cases) and May (210 cases)
in 1932, March (337 cases) and April (312 cases) in 1934, and March
(268 cases) in 1936, illustrating the biennial character of the
epidemic.
The following shows the cases reported during March, 1936, by doctors and Head Teachers (there is probably some overlapping in respect of cases under five years of age attending school):—
| Doctors (Cases 0-5 years) | Head Teachers (cases 5-14 years) | |
|---|---|---|
| Week ending 7.3.36 | 29 | 145 |
| „ „ 14.3.36 | 62 | 156 |
| „ „ 21.3.36 | 75 | 244 |
| „ „ 28.3.36 | 69 | 215 |
| „ „ 4.4.36 | 70 | 104 |
52 patients were admitted to the Sanatorium, and in addition
a considerable number was admitted to Whipps Cross Hospital.