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21
where a child was recovering from Scarlet Fever. Infection was
not spread, but it was considered advisable to report to the Military
Authorities the houses in which infectious cases occurred.
This was done by sending the address of every case as it arose to
the Barracks and the Drill Hall. In every case of doubt or
difficulty there has been consultation between the Military Medical
Staff and myself, and special reports have been made in all cases
that showed urgency. Many houses were visited with a view to
obtaining suitable quarters for billeting soldiers, and also for providing
for the isolation of infectious cases occurring among the
troops, but no final arrangements have been made, and all cases
occurring up to the present have been suitably dealt with.
Whilst infectious diseases have been more numerous than
usual among the civil population, the troops in this neighbourhood
have only suffered from Mumps and Measles.
The occurrence of vermin in connection with billeted soldiers
gave rise to considerable difficulty, owing to the absence of a disinfection
station in the town. The cases were however effectually
dealt, with partly at Lacey's at Fulham and partly at Hampton
Isolation Hospital. Possibly other matters may arise, and one
thing that may cause difficulties may he an abnormal rise in the
number of illegitimate births, due to conditions it is unnecessary
to specify. The notification of Births Act being in force in the
borough, will bring all such cases to the knowledge of the
Authority within a few hours of birth, and it is hoped that such
arrangements as are necessary will be made to avoid the very
heavy mortality that is common among such infants. It seems
necessary that the mothers should be placed in such positions that
they may be able to nurse their infants for several months after
birth, and not be obliged to return to work and leave their babies
in charge of other persons. This will be more particularly important
during Summer and Autumn when hand fed infants are
always killed off in large numbers by Epidemic Diarrhoea.