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was destroyed by the Public Health Department but the manufacturers of that
product gave credit for its value. Some anxiety was felt regarding unwrapped
sweets in the shop, and a notice under Section 196 of the Public Health
(London) Act 1936, requiring the destruction of these sweets was served, on
the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health the Borough Council
approved the payment of compensation amounting to £15 0s. 3d.
The remaining two cases, occurring in children aged three years, were
sporadic and unconnected.
POLIOMYELITIS (INFANTILE PARALYSIS). Some 28 persons suffering from or
suspected to be suffering from poliomyelitis were admitted to hospital. The
diagnosis was, however, confirmed in only 13 cases, of whom 10 were of the
paralytic and 3 of the non-paralytic type. In no instance did more than one
case occur in the same family or in the same house.
Paralytic Muscles affected
Males - 1 year Left leg,
2 years Right foot and leg
2¼ years Arms and legs,
5 years Both legs.
23 years Right arm.
35 years Respiratory.
Females - 2 years Legs and back.
3 years Lumbar.
8½ years Right leg,
23 years Both legs.
Non-paralytic
Male - 28 years
Female - 25 years
Female - 38 years
One patient, the man aged 35 years died on the day of admission, and
following post mortem examination the cause of death was certified by the
Coroner to be due to "Bulbar Poliomyelitis".
By the end of the year 10 patients had been discharged from hospital and
all were reported to be making satisfactory progress
PUERPERAL PYREXIA In accordance with the Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations
of 1951, a medical practitioner is required to notify the Medical Officer of
Health of "any febrile condition occurring in a woman in whom a temperature of
100.4°F, has occurred within fourteen days after childbirth or miscarriage".
The Regulations also require the Authority of the area in which the person is
confined, irrespective of home address to accept all notifications occurring
in that area of the 97 cases notified only 29 were residents of the borough.
SCARLET FEVER. The 291 cases of this disease are 101 less than in the
previous year. Some 181 cases occurred in the 5-10 year age group, the illness
in all age groups was again of a mild type and there were no deaths.
Cases admitted to hospital numbered 99 and treatment of the remaining cases in
their own homes did not result in the spread of infection.
SMALLPOX, No cases of this disease occurred but the usual enquiries were
made and preventive measures taken in regard to contacts of cases elsewhere
arriving in the borough
TYPHOID FEVER, The one case of this disease notified was a woman aged 34
years who was treated in the local isolation hospital and made a satisfactory
recovery.