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1907
150
Lastly, I found that the percentage of deaths to cases, or the fatality, has
fallen considerably, namely from 3.9 per cent. in the first period to 2.7 in the second
period, since which time it has been practically stationary, the percentage being 2.8
in the third period. Thus the fatality has decreased by 28 per cent.
mainly effected by the isolation, nursing and treatment of patients in hospital.
between the first and third periods, which must be looked on as a very great achievement,mainly effected by the isolation, nursing and treatment of patients in hospital.
Quinquennial periods.
Cases.
Deaths.
No. of cases
admitted to
M.A.B.
hospitals.
Per cent, of
cases admitted
to M.A.B.
hospitals.
Per cent, of
deaths to
cases.
Attack rates,
i.e., cases per
1,000 of the
population.
1891-1895
8,502
332
3,534
42
3.9
5.20
1896-1900
7,512
201
4,660
62
2.7
4.46
1901-1905
5,867
166
4,612
79
2.8
3.46
12. When I had ascertained the results indicated in the last section of this
report, I determined to apply the same principle of splitting up the years into
quinquennial periods and to examine the London figures as supplied by the
Holborn Borough Council in a similar manner, with the result that I found that
in the first period (1891-95) there were 112,781 cases of Scarlet Fever notified,
and that these cases fell to 97,278 in the second period (1896-1900) or a decrease
of 15,503, and that the 97,278 cases in turn fell to 82,064 in the third period
(1901-1905) or a decrease of 15,214, while the decrease between the first period
and the third period amounted to the very substantial number of 30,717. And
meanwhile the attack rate showed a corresponding decline, being for each period
respectively 5.23, 4.32 and 3.55 per 1000 inhabitants.
But this is not all, for I found that between the first and second periods the
number of deaths fell from 5,150 to 3,043, and from 3,043 to 2,410 in the third
period. Thus between the first and second periods there was a decrease of 2,107
deaths; between the second and third periods a decrease of 633 deaths; and
between the first and third periods 2,740 deaths, or 46.8 per cent. A most
wonderful record !
I also found that the admissions to the Metropolitan Asylums Boards Hospitals
from the metropolis in these periods were in the first period 56,319 cases; in the
second period 67,685, or an increase of 11,366; and in the third period 68,821 cases,
or an increase of only 1,136 cases on the return for the second period. Finally the
increase between the first and third periods was 12,502 cases, or 22.2 per cent.
With respect to the percentages of the notified cases which were admitted to
the hospitals, I found that 50 per cent. of the London cases were admitted in the
first period, 70 per cent in the second period, and 84 per cent in the third period.
It must be noted, however, that the 84 per cent. in the third period represented an
increase of only 1,136 admissions, whereas the increase of 70 per cent. in the second
period represented an increase of 11,366 cases.
Lastly I found that the percentage of deaths to cases, or the fatality, has fallen
very considerably, namely, from 4.6 per cent. in the first period to 3.1 in the second
period; and then to 2.9 in the third period. Thus the fatality has decreased by
36.9 per cent. between the first and third periods, which, as I said with respect to
the reduced fatality in Islington, must be considered a very great achievement,
mainly effected by the isolation, nursing, and treatment of the patients. The
following table gives a synopsis of the above facts respecting London:—