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
Hackney 1921
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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35
upon the number of genuine cases notified during 1920. Of the
89 returned cases 11 had been reported on a bacteriological
Examination to be positive. The incidence of the disease can be
seen by reference to the chart. The Asylums Board were pressed
for accommodation during October and November for scarlet
fever cases, but it is very gratifying to record that the Board
Provided accommodation in nearly every instance of cases of a
severe type when application was made from the office. All cases
of diphtheria were promptly removed.
The attack rate of diphtheria was 3.9 per 1,000 inhabitants.
There were 802 cases removed to hospital during the year.
This is equal to 92 per cent. of the cases notified.
The following table shows the distribution of diphtheria in the respective Sub-districts of the Borough:—
| Sub-Districts. | North. | Central. | South-west. | South-east. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of cases of Diphtheria and Membranous Croup | 236 | 206 | 139 | 291 |
| Attack-rate per 1,000 living | 41 | 38 | 2.4 | 5 1 |
From the above it will be seen that diphtheritic disease was
most acute in the South-Eastern Sub-district.
The deaths from diphtheria and membranous croup during
the year numbered 46. This mortality is equal to a death-rate of
5.3 per cent. attacked and 0.20 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared
with a death-rate of 9.1 per cent. attacked, and 0.31 per
1,000 inhabitants for the previous year.
The death rate from diphtheria for London during the same
Period is 0.25 per 1,000 inhabitants.