Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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13
SMALL POX.
I am again able to report that not a single case of Small Pox has
occurred during the year.
There are still a large number of unvaccinated children in the
District and, until the Vaccination Act is rigidly enforced, I consider
that we are in danger of a serious spread of this disease, should a few
cases be imported into our midst.
I am glad to say, however, that the authorities are about to
sanction the use of calf lymph at the Public Vaccination Stations, and
I hope a great many prejudices against the process of vaccination
will be overcome and that the danger of having so many unvaccinated
children in our District will be considerably lessened.
I am able to report that the Council has agreed to unite with
the West Ham Borough and other Districts in providing accommodation
for cases of Small Pox for the next seven years, according to a
fixed agreement.
SCARLET FEVER.
It is interesting to notice that the number of cases of this disease
notified during each of the past three years is almost the same.
The mortality is, however, more marked, shewing that the disease
in 1897 was rather more severe than in the previous two years.
Table XIV.—Notified cases of Scarlet Fever during the
past three years, with the mortality per cent.
Cases Notified. | No. of Deaths. | Death-rate per cent. | |
---|---|---|---|
1895 | 507 | 12 | 2.3 |
1896 | 501 | 6 | 1.1 |
1897 | 510 | 17 | 33 |
There appears to have been less than the average number of
cases per month during eight months of the year (as seen from
Table X.) but a sudden and large increase occurred in September
and was maintained in October, a third of the total number being
notified in these two months.