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scarlet fever in other persons, but it is also apparent that it is very difficult to
diagnose a case as scarlet fever when all the person is suffering from is a sore
throat. It is because of this that probably a large number of cases which are
really scarlet fever cases are not diagnosed as such and in effect are not seen
by a doctor at all. A child may only be out of sorts for two or three days
and afterwards return to school and may infect other children and these other
children may contract definite scarlet fever.
There were two deaths from scarlet fever during the year.
Diphtheria.
There were 67 cases of diphtheria notified as compared with 87 in 1934.
All of these were removed to the Isolation Hospital. There were five deaths
from diphtheria of residents in the district during the year; four of these
occurred in the Isolation Hospital and one occurred in the Western Fever
Hospital, Fulham.
There were less cases of diphtheria in the district during 1935 than
there were in 1934, but they were of much greater severity. This increase in
severity of the disease appears to have been fairly general in England and was
especially noticeable in the Home Counties. Cases occurred where, only a few
hours after first feeling unwell, there were symptoms and signs of profound
poisoning from the diphtheritic process. These cases, fortunately, did not appear
to be so infective as usual and therefore the total number was not so great.
The mortality therefore was fairly high in proportion to the number of cases
occurring.
As is mentioned on page 17 of this report, steps were taken during the
year to set up a clinic for immunisation against diphtheria.
Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia.
Three cases of puerperal fever and nine cases of puerperal pyrexia
occurred during 1935. These are referred to on page 16.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There was one case of ophthalmia neonatorum notified in 1935.
The Council has an arrangement with the London County Council by
which cases of ophthalmia neonatorum are treated at St. Margaret's Hospital,
Hampstead, N.W. In some cases the mothers are admitted with the child in
order that breast feeding may be continued.
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