London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wealdstone 1903

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wealdstone]

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4
Scarlet Fever 11
Diphtheria 8
Enteric 2
Erysipelas 8
Chicken-pox 34
Membranous Croup 1
The increase in the number of cases of infectious sickness
notified is due to the fact that Chicken-pox was made a notifiable
disease in this district from June, 1903, to June, 1904,
and that an epidemic of this disease broke out in the autumn.
Had it not been for this the number of infectious sickness
cases would only have been 30.
Ten cases were sent to the Isolation Hospital, and I am
happy to say that the arrangement with the Hendon Rural
District Council for taking the cases has worked very satistorily.
The cases have been removed very promptly, and no
complaints have been made.
In the month of January there was much sickness of a
general character, and also epidemics of influenza and whooping
cough of a severe type, which continued throughout
February, March, and April.
In May there was an alarming outbreak of small-pox at
Harrow, which caused some anxiety in this district, but
happily subsided without our having to bring the temporary
hospital provided for this purpose into use. During the
summer months the general health was very good, with a
remarkable absence of diarrhoea. In December there were
many cases of mumps, measles, and of affections of the
respiratory organs due to the inclement weather.
In July and September samples of drinking water were
submitted for chemical and bacteriological examination, and
the reports thereon duly placed before the Council. It is
undoubtedly advantageous to have this examination made
from time to time by an independent analyst.
The scheme for providing a joint hospital for small-pox
in which many of the District Councils of the County would be
associated has not yet come to a practical head, but it is to be
hoped the scheme may eventually be carried through to a
successful issue.