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
Finsbury 1910
Annual report on the public health of Finsbury for the year 1910
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89
ZYMOTIC DEATH RATE.
The seven principal zymotic or epidemic diseases are Smallpox,
Measles, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Hooping Cough, Fever
(Typhoid and Typhus) and Diarrhæa.
These caused 186 deaths in 1910—equal to a Zymotic deathrate
of 1·96 per 1,000.
The corresponding rates for the country generally were:—
| The corresponding rates for the country generally were:— | |
| England and Wales | 0·99 |
| London | 1·14 |
| Finsbury | 1·96 |
| 77 Great Towns | 1·23 |
| 136 Smaller Towns | 0·88 |
| Rural Districts | 0·74 |
This rate is a popular factor for comparing the health standards
of various communities, but it is subject to many fallacies and
pitfalls.
While it refers to the chief epidemic diseases, it does not
necessarily measure their prevalence, but only in a modified degree
their virulence.
DISINFECTION.
In Finsbury there are two disinfecting stations—one at 49,
Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, and the other at Warwick
Place, Whitecross Street, St. Luke. At each station there is
a mortuary and a coroner's court.
I he mortuary keepers, who reside on the premises, are also
chief or foreman disinfectors.