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
Barking 1901
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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19
Remarks.
The low mortality is remarkable. Some of the cases treated in
Hospital were very severe, but for the most part the cases were of
a mild type. It would be of the greate-t assistance in dealing with
this malady, if some arrangement could be made to have a bacterial
diagnosis in every doubtful case.
Anti toxin serum proved most invaluable, especially in the
laryngeal form of the disease.
Diphtheria and School Attendance.
(The numbers refer to children between 4 and 14 years of age).
| No of cases 1898. | No. of cases 1899. | No. of cases 1900. | No. of cases 1901. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | Schools opened |
| February | 7 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |
| March | 3 | — | 5 | 4 | |
| April | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | Part Holiday |
| May | 1 | 2 | — | 4 | |
| June | — | 1 | 6 | 4 | |
| July | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| August | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | All Holiday |
| September | 6 | 2 | 5 | 1 | |
| October | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | |
| November | 3 | 4 | 9 u | 2 | |
| Deocmber | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | |
| 34 | 26 | 45 | 42 |
Perhaps the numbers as given above are not sufficiently large,
but the figures in the years given do not seem to indicate any
constant rise in the number of cases on the opening of the Schools.
Whooping Cough.
Three deaths have been registered from Whooping Cough.
The Schools were not closed.