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
Acton 1918
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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1918
9
In the first quarter of 1918, no death occurred, and the
district was almost free of the disease ; in the second quarter,
a death which occurred on April '23rd was registered as due to
the disease.
Towards the end of June, a very extensive -outbreak
occurred, and as previously stated some of the factories reported
a higher percentage of absentees than in the autumn epidemic.
The first death occurred on July 2nd, and 7 deaths
occurred in July, 1 in August and 1 in September, the latter
death occuring on September 6th. An interval of over one
month elapsed before the next death occurred, 2 deaths
occurring on October 9th and 2 on October 11th.
The epidemic reached its height duriug the fir.it week in November and gradually subsided. The deaths in the remaining weeks of the year were as follows :—
| Week ending Oct. 19th | 4 | Week ending Nov. 30th | 20 |
| „ 26th | 13 | „ Dec. 7th | 9 |
| „ Nov. 2nd | 35 | „ 14th | 10 |
| „ 9th | 35 | „ 21st | 2 |
| „ 16th | 20 | „28th | 1 |
| „ „ „ 23rd | 28 |
Of the total deaths 81 were,of males and 106 of females.
When we consider the age-distribution of the deaths it will at
once be evident that the disease was not more fatal in females
than in males. As far as this district is concerned males
suffered comparatively more severely than females.
Age Distribution of the Deaths.
| Males | 3 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
| Females | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 17 |
| Males | 5 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Females | 22 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 8 |