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137
THE STRAND DISTRICT, LONDON.
Cases of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria (including Membranous
Croup) notified in London during each of the 53 weeks of 1896.
Note.—The Scarlet Fever curve descending from that of 1895 reached its
lowest level in March and April, after which it rose to a maximum in the 40th
and 41st weeks of the year in October. The rapid fall beginning in the 42nd
week is co-incident with a marked fall in the temperature of the air. (The mean
temperature of the air in October was 3.2° below and in November 3° below the
average of 55 years).
Of the smaller depressions the fall in the beginning of April is accentuated by
the occurrence of the Easter holidays. A slight check in the rising curve is
shown in the beginning of June, at the time of the Whitsuntide holidays. The
depression in July is co-incident with if not due to a fall in the temperature,
while the check in the rise throughout August coincides with the period of
school holidays. There was also a much lower temperature at that time, but
this continued during September when the curve was again rising. The short
holidays at Easter, Whitsuntide and Christmas operate to some extent by
throwing notifications into the succeeding weeks, thus reducing the number
which properly belong to the week in which the holiday occurs; but these
holidays also decrease the number of cases of Scarlet Fever by removing for the
time the chance of exposure to infection to which children of school age are
liable. It should also be noted that while the summer holidays do not extend
over the same period for all schools in London (some beginning and finishing
earlier than others,) at Easter, Christmas, &c. all the schools are closed at the
same time.
The Diphtheria curve follows somewhat closely similar lines to tnose of
Scarlet Fever, showing the existence of a more or less close relationship between
the two diseases; that other factors, however, operate in the case of Diphtheria
is apparent on examination of the differences which exist in the two curves.
K