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
Hampstead 1906
Report for the year 1906 of the Medical Officer of Health
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| Month. | Ward No. 1 (Town) | Ward No. 2 (Belsize) | Ward No. 3 (Adelaide) | Ward No. 4 (Central) | Ward No. 5 (West End) | Ward No. 6 (Kilburn) | Ward No. 7 (Priory) | Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 17 |
| February | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 5 | — | 14 |
| March | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 14 |
| April | 7 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
| May | 10 | 6 | — | 3 | 8 | 13 | — | 40 |
| June | 9 | — | 1 | — | 6 | 8 | 1 | 25 |
| July | 21 | 2 | — | 2 | 40 | 7 | — | 72 |
| August | 9 | 1 | — | 2 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 27 |
| September | 8 | — | — | 4 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 30 |
| October | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 3 | 38 |
| November | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 35 |
| December | 2 | — | 5 | 2 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 39 |
| Totals | 78 | 30 | 16 | 24 | 130 | 92 | 15 | 385 |
The disease was most prevalent in West Hampstead, and the
chief incidence was upon the children attending Broomsleigh Street
School. During the latter half of the year it was found necessary
to close and disinfect several class-rooms in this school, and the
whole of the school was thoroughly disinfected during the summer
holidays and again in the Christmas holidays. The disease was
undoubtedly spread by unrecognised or "missed" cases. In a
considerable number of instances the patient was so mildly attacked
that the parents, not knowing the nature of the illness, did not think
there was sufficient reason to seek medical advice, and, after a few
days' absence, sent the child to school as if nothing out of the
common had happened. One child was found in class to be in the
early desquamating stage of Scarlet Fever and was promptly sent