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

Islington 1904

Forty-ninth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Borough of Islington

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56
1904
DIPHTHERIA.
The number of deaths registered in 1904 from this disease was only 28.
To find so small a return, it is necessary to go back to 1880, when 27 deaths
were recorded, that is to say, to a date when diphtheria was more a disease
of the country than of the towns.

Table: The returns from this disease since 1861, set out in quinquennial periods, have been as follows:—

The returns from this disease since 1861, set out in quinquennial periods, have been as follows:—

Deaths.Annual Average.
1861-6519439
1866-7013727
1871-7511523
1876-8016533
1881-8541883
1886-9031162
1891-95842168
1896-00678135
1901-04 (4 years).30977

Table: While the particulars for the last eleven years are seen below:—

While the particulars for the last eleven years are seen below:—

Years.Cases.Attack Rates.Deaths.Death Rates.Fatality Deaths per 100 Cases.
18948672.622180.6625.1
18955821.741440.4324.7
189610913.232570.7623.5
18977292.171310.3918.0
18985441.62930.2717.1
18997052.101280.3818.2
19006331.891060.3216.7
19019112.721340.4014.7
19028782.551040.3011.8
19034551.34430.139.4
Corrected Mean7502.201380.4018.4
19043471.02280.088.1
Decrease4031.181100.3210.3

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Fiom this return it is seen that not only have the deaths become fewer but
also that they have become fewer in proportion to the attacks of the disease
that have occurred. Indeed, the proportion of deaths to actual cases has grown
year by year less with an almost assured decrease.