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
Leyton 1895
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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16
Of the 24 deaths, 23 took place during the first five months of the
year, 16 occurring in March, and 11 of these 16 being over 50 years of
age. In this month, too, there was a corresponding increase in the
number of deaths from Diseases of the Respiratory Organs, many of
these, no doubt, being sequela of the Influenza attack.
The Local Government Board, at that time, issued a Memorandum,
urging the advisability of treating Influenza as a highly infective
Disease, and taking all necessary precautions.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS,
WEST HAM UNION WORKHOUSE AND SCHOOLS.
Births.—During the year there were 81 Births.
Deaths.—There were 418 Deaths, viz., Males, 209 ; Females, 204.
The following are the chief causes:—
| Diphtheria | 8 |
| Typhoid Fever | 5 |
| Erysipelas | 2 |
| Influenza | 1 |
| Measles | 5 |
| Diarrhœa | 9 |
| Heart Disease | 44 |
| Puthisis | 60 |
| Diseases of Respiratory Organs | 58 |
| Premature Birth | 2 |
| Cancer | 20 |
| Violence | 2 |
| All other Diseases | 202 |
| Total | 413 |
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
The number of cases notified may be seen in Table XI.
About the end of August a severe outbreak of Diphtheria took
place in the schools.
The treatment of these cases was a matter of great difficulty, as
there were no means of isolation in the schools, and the patients had
to be removed to the Workhouse Infirmary. The schools were closed
for admission during a period of over two months.
There were 8 deaths, all being over five years of age.