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32
SPECIFIC INFECTIOUS OR ZYMOTIC DISEASE.
During the year there were 1,860 cases of infectious disease
compulsorily notified in the Borough, but of these 117 cases were
subsequently found not to be suffering from infectious disease, thus
reducing the genuine cases of notifiable infectious disease to 1,743
cases, a decline of 123 cases upon the number notified in 1905.
The attack rate for the year is therefore 7.5 per 1,000 persons.
The deaths from the seven chief zymotic diseases numbered 356,
This is equal to a zymotic death rate of 1.7 per 1,000 living persons
in the Borough.
A—NOTIFIABLE INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
Smallpox.—There were 9 cases of this disease notified in the
Borough during 1906, all of which recovered. The following is an
account of the circumstances connected with these cases:—
On the 15th February, Daisy W. age 10 years, of 5, Elm T. was
notified to me as suffering from smallpox. On enquiry at this
address, I found the patient's father carried on the business of boot
and shoe manufacturer and that the patient's sister Eleanor, age 17
years, had been suffering from what was thought to be chickenpox
three weeks before. On examining her I found a few scars of a
dark red tint on her wrists and face. Another sister, Beatrice, 20
years, I learned, had suffered 4 weeks before in the same way. She
also showed similar scars on the wrist and palms of the hand.
These two latter worked with their father in the boot and shoe
making. Further enquiry revealed the fact that another of Mr. W's
workwomen, Henrietta B., age 24. of Bethnal Green had also
suffered from what was thought to be chickenpox five weeks before.
(This case I heard afterwards had been notified to the Bethnal
Green Medical Officer of Health as chickenpox). On examination
this woman showed scars on the face and wrists. Another worker,
Lavinia R. aged 18 years, who was then away from work was stated
to be suffering from some eruptive malady. On examination she
was found to be suffering from smallpox of a very mild form.