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
Walthamstow 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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AGE AND SEX AT DEATH.
| Under 5 years. | 5-10 years. | 10-15 years. | Over 15 years. | Total. | Total. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | ||
| Diphtheria | 6 | 5 | 2 | 4 | - | 1 | — | — | 8 | 10 | 18 |
| Diphtheria, Measles & Pneumonia | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Scarlet Fever & Endocarditis | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | 1 |
| Scarlet Fever & Measles | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Tuberculosis | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Totals | 8 | 7 | 2 | 5 | - | 1 | — | 3 | 10 | 16 | 26 |
The deaths occurred after the following periods in Hospital:—
Diphtheria, under 24 hours, 5; 24-48 hours, 2; 2-7 days, 4; 1-2
weeks, 3; 4-5 weeks, 1; 5-6 weeks, 2; 6-7 weeks, 1.
Diphtheria, Measles and Pneumonia—one each at 1 \ hours, 5, 8, and
10 days.
Scarlet Fever—One each at 10 and 17 days.
MONTHLY ADMISSIONS OF DIPHTHERIA CASES.
| Under 5 years. | 5 to 10 years. | 10 to 15 years. | Over 15 years. | Total. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | F | M | F | M | F | M | F | ||
| January | 4 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 43 |
| February | 4 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 29 |
| March | 9 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 1 | 3 | - | 6 | 43 |
| April | 9 | — | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 31 |
| May | 5 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 33 |
| June | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 25 |
| July | 4 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 39 |
| August | 6 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 26 |
| September | 12 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 67 |
| October | 2 | 7 | 15 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 53 |
| November | 5 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 40 |
| December | 2 | 5 | 10 | 11 | — | 1 | 6 | 4 | 39 |
| Totals | 64 | 53 | 109 | 116 | 30 | 35 | 20 | 41 | 468 |
Twenty-two deaths occurred as a result of Diphtheria giving a
case mortality of 4.7 per cent. Many very severe and apparently
hopeless cases made good recoveries. Of the 22 fatal cases, four
were complicated by Measles and Pneumonia. Seventeen cases of
Laryngeal Diphtheria were admitted and six died. Tracheotomy
was performed in one case but without avail. Four cases of spasmodic
croup were admitted.
One hundred and fifty-two cases were classified as "severe," 167
as "mild," and 149 as "bacteriological." One very severe case of
"hæmorrhagic Diphtheria" was admitted and died within 24 hours
of admission.