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45
One of the most satisfactory features of the Hampstead health
statistics in 1909 is the diminished prevalence of Diphtheria. The number
of cases of this disease notified in 1909, viz., 33, was considerably smaller
than the corresponding number in any previous year, the next lowest
figure being 55, which was recorded in 1908 and also in 1904. The
following figures show the prevalence of Diphtheria in Hampstead since
1890, the vear in which the disease first became notifiable.
Year. No. of cases notified. Year. No of cases notified.
1909 33 1899 106
1908 55 1898 131
1907 103 1897 100
1906 97 1896 189
1905 63 1895 112
1904 55 1894 96
1903 79 1893 158
1902 85 1892 136
1901 142 1891 88
1900 153 1890 96
The decrease becomes more apparent when instead of the number of
cases, the case-rate, or proportion of cases notified per 1000 population is
taken, as in the following table:—
Years. No. of cases notified per 1000 population.
1909—1905 0.77
1904—1900 1.22
1899—1895 1.63
1894—1890 1.61
The diminished prevalence of Diphtheria may be regarded as one
of the results of the sanitary improvements secured by the Borough
Council in recent years, Diphtheria being a disease that is specially
dependent upon insanitary surroundings.
Enteric Fever.
The number of cases notified was 13 as compared with 24 in
1908 and 19 in 1907. The attack rate per 1000 population was 0.19.
The number of fatal cases was 5 or 38.5 per cent. of the cases notified.
The death rate per 1000 population was 0.05; 6 patients, or 46 per
cent. of the total cases notified, were removed to hospital.