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
Willesden 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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lowered from want of proper or sufficient nourishment, and
are especially numerous in insanitary and overcrowded
dwellings. Proper and sufficient nourishment, abundance
of light (except in measles), fresh air, warmth and skilled
nursing are especially necessary in connection with these
diseases.
The above figures refer only to deaths, and give but
little idea of the total number of cases or of the number of
cases which recover with some permanent lung or other
weakness as the result. This latter number, at a low
estimate, would at least equal the number of deaths.
As to the total number of cases of Measles, this may
be estimated by assuming that the number of deaths amongst
unknown cases prior to death occurs at the same rate as
amongst known cases prior to death. The following Table
No. 4, shows the results for the five year period, 1909-13.
Table N o. 4.
| Year. | Total No. of Cases known before death. | Cases unknown prior to death. | Percentage of all probable Cases coming to knowledge. | Total. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases. | Deaths. | Fatality Ratt. per cent. | Deaths. | Estimated No. of Cases. | |||
| 1909 | 1,445 | 17 | 1.17 | 24 | 2,040 | 41 | 3.485 |
| 1910 | 1,757 | 13 | 0.74 | 17 | 2,297 | 43 | 4.054 |
| 1911 | 1,845 | 26 | 1.40 | 25 | 1,774 | 51 | 3.619 |
| 1912 | 1,665 | 17 | 1.02 | 18 | 1.763 | 48 | 3.428 |
| 1913 | 1,656 | 21 | 1.26 | 48 | 3.78s | 30 | 5.441 |
| Totals | 8,368 | 94 | 1.12 | 132 | 11.659 | 42 | 20,027 |
As to the number of cases of Whooping Cough occurring
among infants, no definite information is to hand, but
520 cases of Whooping Cough were notified voluntarily by
head teachers and others during the year 1913.
No means are available for ascertaining or estimating
the total number of cases of Bronchitis or Pneumonia in
any one year.