London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lewisham 1929
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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45
Outbreak of Enteric Fever in the Sydenham. District.
During the last quarter of the year an outbreak of Enteric
Fever occurred in Sydenham and in portions of the adjoining1
Urban Districts of Beckenham and Penge. Altogether, 129
cases, with 17 deaths, were recorded.
In the Sydenham district (population approximately 32,000)
of the Borough, 104 cases were notified, but two of these cases
were subsequently found not suffering from Enteric Fever.
There were 15 deaths.
Seventy-three houses and 45 roads were invaded.
An epidemic of Enteric Fever in London is a very rare
occurrence, and, having regard to the serious nature of the
disease, I deemed it advisable, at the commencement of the
outbreak, to inform the Ministry of Health, and one of their
Medical Officers, Dr. E. L. Sturdee, collaborated with me in
the investigation.
The incidence of Enteric Fever in Sydenham and the rest of the Borough, and the deaths resulting therefrom, during the five years preceding 1929, is shown in the following Table I:—
| Year. | Sydenham- | Remainder of | Borough. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notified cases of Enteric Fever. | Deaths from Enteric Fever. | Notified cases of Enteric Fever. | Deaths from Enteric Fever. | |
| 1924 | 3 | 1 | 13* | 2 |
| 1925 | 1 | — | 9 | 1 |
| 1920 | — | 6 | 1 | |
| 1927 | 1 | — | 6 | 1 |
| 1928 | 1 | fi | 4 | |
* Includes Paratyphoid.
From the figures in the foregoing Table it will be seen
that in the 5 years 1924-28 the history of Sydenham was not
unfavourable as regards Enteric Fever.