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
Paddington 1900
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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Report of Medical Officer of Health.] 17
The percentages of reported cases removed from their homes for isolation during each of the past five years were:—
| 1900. | 1899. | 1898. | 1897. | 1896. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parish | 71.4 | 82.7 | 64.3 | 63.9 | 50.0 |
| St. Mary | 77.1 | 83.9 | 65.3 | 61.4 | 41.5 |
| St. John | 52.1 | 72.7 | 56.6 | 78.7 | 63.8 |
SCARLET FEVER.
| Paddington. | London. | |
|---|---|---|
| Cases reported in 1900 | 302 | 13,819 |
| Average annual number, 1890-99 | 478 | 22,335 |
| Case-rate, 1900 | 2.31 | 3.01 |
There was a decrease amounting to 80 cases in the number of attacks of scarlet fever reported
in the Borough during the past year as compared with 1899. The annual totals were fewer in
1890 (215), 1891 (263), and 1894 (289). The maximum for any year was 790 cases in 1896. The
cases reported in the Metropolis last year (13,819) constituted a smaller annual total than that of
any year except 1891 (11,398 cases). In comparison with the decennial averages the reduction in
the total for Paddington was equal to 36.9 per cent., and that for the Metropolis, 38.2 per cent.
In North Paddington 254 cases were recorded, being 59 fewer than in 1899, and 149 less than
the decennial average (403). Fewer cases were recorded in 1890 (183), 1891 (217), 1894 (238),
and 1898 (253). The maximum record was that of 1896 (664 cases). In South Paddington 48
cases were recorded, compared with 69 in 1899 and a decennial average of 75. The reductions in
the numbers for last year, compared with the respective decennial averages, were: North Paddington,
37.0 per cent.; South, 36.0.
The sickness-rates (all ages) in comparison with the mean rates for 1895-99 were as follow:—
| Paddington. | North Paddington. | South Paddington. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males. | Females. | Males. | Females. | Males. | Females. | |
| 1900 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| Mean | 4.3 | 3.3 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 2.9 | 1.8 |
According to the returns in Table 8 (p. 9), 3 of the adjacent districts had higher rates
for this disease than Paddington, and 2 lower. The highest rate was that of Willesden (2.91),
and the lowest that of St. George, Hanover Square (2.07).
The incidence of the disease on children of school ages is shown in the following statement, in which the cases recorded at "all ages " are in each group taken as 100:—
| Males. | Females. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All ages. | 3 to 15. | All ages. | 3 to 15. | |
| Paddington | 100 | 61 | 100 | 65 |
| St. Mary | 100 | 66 | 100 | 71 |
| St. John | 100 | 40 | 100 | 36 |
The proportions are very nearly the same as those for diphtheria (see p. 14). The inquiries made enable the cases reported to be grouped thus:—
| St. Mary. | St. John. | |
|---|---|---|
| Imported cases, primary | 19 | 9 |
| „ „ secondary | 6 | — |
| Return cases, primary | 10 | 2 |
| „ „ secondary | 3 | — |
| Errors in diagnosis | 4 | 2 |
| Disease contracted in hospital | 1 | 2 |
| Remaining cases, primary | 163 | 25 |
| ,, „ secondary | 48 | 8 |