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only two inoculations had been given when the disease occurred a week
later. In the third case the patient had had three inoculations, but
disease occurred two months later, evidently before the protective
effect of the inoculation had developed. This may require up to nine
months or more.
12 cases were notified in 1928. In one of these the diagnosis was
not confirmed. In a second, only one prophylactic injection had been
received.
In 2 others, disease occurred within 1 month of third inoculation.
” 2 ” ” ” ” 5 months ” ”
3 9
” ” ” ” ” ”
” 3 ” ” ” after 9 ” ” ”
Two of these were in one family. None of these cases had come for
re-tests to see if inoculations had been successful.
One case was notified in 1929, disease occurring within a week of
second inoculation.
We have received notification of the disease in only one case which
gave a negative Schick Test.
Small-Pox.
The Borough has remained free from Small-pox since 1918 but,
during the year 15 cases occurred. The supervision of Deptford
residents, who were "contact " of cases in other boroughs, entailed
considerable additional work. Such contacts, during the working week
are usually kept under supervision by the Medical Officer of Health of
the borough in which the place of work is situated. During the weekend
or when otherwise absent from work, the duty devolves upon this
Public Health Department. It was felt desirable to make Chickenpox
a notifiable disease, and an Order was put into force making
such notification compulsory for a period of six months as from the
1st December, 1929.
During the month of December, 61 notifications of Chicken-pox
were received. In one further instance the medical practitioner
referred the case to the Medical Officer of Health and, in conjunction,
a diagnosis of small-pox was arrived at.
Vaccination. No vaccination was performed by the Medical
Officer of Health under the Public Health (Small-pox Prevention)
Regulations, 1917.