View report page

Out of the total of 236 cases of diphtheria and membranous croup
notified in Chelsea in 1899, 100 cases belonged to Kensal Town, the
share of the latter district in proportion to its population being only
52 cases. The greatest prevalence of the disease in Kersal Town was
in January (22 cases), February (16 cases), and June (12 cases). In
April there were no cases, but in all the other months cases were
notified.
In the home district, the largest number of cases notified in any
one month was in July (24 notifications). The cases were fairly evenly
distributed throughout the other months of the year, October (7 cases)
and December (4 cases) coming off, however, very lightly. In the
whole of the last quarter of the year, there were only 20 cases notified,
as against 31 in the first quarter, 38 in the second quarter, and 47 in
the third quarter.
The percentage of cases of school age (3 to 13 years) was 60 per
cent, in Chelsea, 57 per cent, in the home district, and 64 per cent,
in Kensal Town. The fall in notified cases following the closure of
the schools at midsummer was noticeable in the home district, but
irregular in character. The first two weeks in August were characterised
by a slight fall, whilst in the third week of that month no cases at all
were notified. There was no renewal of prevalence after the schools
had re-opened. In Kensal Town the effect of school closure is barely
traceable in the weekly returns.
Prevalence of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, and Enteric Fever
in West London.
The following table VIII. is based upon the notified cases of
scarlet fever, diphtheria and membranous croup, and enteric fever,
respectively, in each of the eight parishes constituting West London,
the rates being calculated upon the estimated population of each
district.
11