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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 1919
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Diphtheria and Membranous Croup.—Table No. 25.
Shewing the number of cases notified, and number and percentage removed to hospital, and the incidence and fatality rates each year since 1892.
| Year. | No. of Cases notified. | No. of Cases removed to Hospital. | Percentage of Cases removed to Hospital. | Incidence Rate. Cases per 1,000 population. | Fatality Rate. Deaths per 1,000 Cases. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1892 | 145 | 14 | 9.6 | 2.1 | 127 |
| 1893 | 229 | 0 | 0.0 | 31 | 199 |
| 1894 | 129 | 8 | 6.2 | 1.7 | 126 |
| 1895 | 186 | 66 | 35.4 | 2.2 | 190 |
| 1896 | 173 | 51 | 29.4 | 2.1 | 169 |
| 1897 | 275 | 132 | 48.0 | 2.9 | 250 |
| 1898 | 335 | 217 | 64.7 | 3.3 | 204 |
| 1899 | 319 | 183 | 57.3 | 2.9 | 148 |
| 1900 | 226 | 120 | 53.1 | 1.9 | 124 |
| 1901 | 404 | 190 | 47.0 | 3.4 | 138 |
| 1902 | 440 | 222 | 50.4 | 3.5 | 122 |
| 1903 | 221 | 122 | 55.2 | 1.6 | 46 |
| 1904 | 353 | 290 | 82.1 | 2.6 | 54 |
| 1905 | 275 | 227 | 82.5 | 1.9 | 51 |
| 1906 | 286 | 222 | 77.6 | 2.0 | 57 |
| 1907 | 254 | 186 | 73.2 | 1.7 | 71 |
| 1908 | 215 | 175 | 81.3 | 1.4 | 65 |
| 1909 | 207 | 171 | 82.6 | 1.4 | 48 |
| 1910 | 166 | 142 | 85.5 | 1.1 | 66 |
| 1911 | 192 | 130 | 67.7 | 1.2 | 57 |
| 1912 | 222 | 191 | 86.0 | 1.4 | 45 |
| 1913 | 233 | 215 | 92.3 | 1.4 | 34 |
| 1914 | 303 | 258 | 85.2 | 1.8 | 79 |
| 1915 | 231 | 213 | 92.2 | 1.4 | 130 |
| 1916 | 225 | 213 | 94.7 | 1.3 | 76 |
| 1917 | 254 | 234 | 92.1 | 1.5 | 79 |
| 1918 | 271 | 223 | 82.3 | 1.6 | 92 |
| 1919 | 494 | 461 | 93.3 | 2.9 | 55 |
This is the greatest number of cases notified since the above records were kept in 1892, and
the highest incidence rate since 1902. It is satisfactory to note that notwithstanding the severe
type of Diphtheria prevalent in the winter months, the fatality rate of 54.6 was lower than it has
been since 1913.
The cases were greatest in the Stonebridge and Roundwood wards, numbering 84 in Stonebridge
and 75 in Roundwood, whereas in Willesden Green and Cricklewood they were only 15 in each
ward.
The notifications were high throughout the year, the first 9 four-weekly periods giving an
average number of 30.5, with a variation between 24 and 38, and the last 4 an average of 55.5, with
a variation from 44 to 79.
Diphtheria antitoxin is supplied free to all medical practitioners on application at the Health
Department or Fire Stations, or Municipal Hospital.
In view of the severe type of Diphtheria prevalent in the winter, the following letter was issued
to Medical Practitioners in Willesden on 5th December, 1919.
To Medical Practitioners in Willesden.
Diphtheria—Early Treatment.
The Medical Superintendent of the Municipal Hospital, Brentfield Road, Neasden, N.W. 10,
informs me that the type of Diphtheria prevalent at present is severe. Several cases have entered
the Hospital at a late stage of the illness when remedial measures were too late. Early treatment—
important in all diseases—is especially important in cases of Diphtheria. Sometimes Practitioners
delay sending in their cases until a bacteriological examination has been made. Under all the