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 1905
Fiftieth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
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183
[1905
The figures since 1896, showing the number of scholars who have been annually attacked are sub-joined.
| Small Pox. | Scarlet Fever. | Diphtheria. | Enteric Fever. | Other Diseases. | Total scholars attacked. | Proportion to every 100 cases notified. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1896 | 3 | 842 | 355 | 28 | 12 | 1,240 | 32.4 |
| 1897 | — | 753 | 267 | 38 | 12 | 1,070 | 36.8 |
| 1898 | — | 640 | 206 | 37 | 8 | 891 | 36.9 |
| 1899 | — . | 725 | 290 | 61 | 11 | 1,087 | 36.9 |
| 1900 | 1 | 547 | 219 | 64 | 13 | 914 | 40.2 |
| 1901 | — | 669 | 438 | 72 | 32 | 1,211 | 42.5 |
| 1902 | 14 | 664 | 405 | 64 | 34 | 1,181 | 37.3 |
| 1903 | — | 507 | 216 | 35 | 16 | 774 | 45.3 |
| 1904 | — | 571 | 138 | 29 | 20 | 757 | 39.0 |
| 1905 | — | 640 | 138 | 31 | 23 | 832 | 43.2 |
In this return it will be noticed that there has been an increase in the
number of cases of Scarlet Fever among scholars, and there are nearly as
many cases as some of the previous years 1896-1902. The disease, however, as
proved by the fatality, was of a very slight character.
Small Pox.—No case occurred among scholars attending any of the
Public Elementary Schools.
Scarlet Fever.—This disease attacked 640 scholars, as against an average
of 657 during the preceding 9 years. In only one school (Popham Road)
could the cases be said to have been excessive, wherein 40 occurred. In no
other school was the number more than 26, which was the number recorded
in Queen's Head Street, in St. Mary's, 24, Ecclesbourne Road 20, and Holy
Trinity 20. In the other Public Elementary Schools the cases ranged from
1 in St. John's, Conewood Street and St. Jude's and St. James' to 19 in
Buckingham Street and Duncombe Road Schools.
There was no case in St. Matthew's, City Road.
In addition to these cases 206 were known in the homes of children in
attendance at school.
Diphtheria and Membranous Croup.—Only 138 cases, the exact
number of the preceding year, were known among scholars, as against an
average of 281 in the preceding 9 years. This is a most satisfactory and
welcome decrease in a disease which is very fatal in the early years of life.
The largest number known in an, one school did not exceed 11, and these
occurred at Grafton Road County Council School. At Hornsey Road School
10 cases occurred, but in no other did the number exceed 6. Indeed in 9 of