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
Paddington 1909
Report on the vital statistics and sanitary work for the year 1909
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TUBERCULOUS DISEASES. 23
groups of ages among males, the most valuable ages, the rates recorded last year exceeded
the means, while increases were recorded at three ages only among females. The increase
in the mortality among males at all ages was equal to 4 per cent., and that among females
to 3 per cent. of the mean total rate for each sex.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
| Ages | 0— | 15— | 20— | 25— | 35— | 45— | 55— | 65— | 75— | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males. | 1909 | 0.16 | 0.67 | 0.54 | 2.00 | 2.97 | 3.47 | 2.46 | 3.29 | — |
| 1904-08 | ||||||||||
| Females. | 1909 | 0.16 | 0.12 | 0.37 | 0.99 | 1.32 | 1.73 | 0.52 | 0.92 | — |
| 1904-08 | ||||||||||
Although the mortalities at all ages from other forms of tuberculosis showed decreases
in both sexes last year, when compared with the quinquennial means, there were increases at
five ages among males and three among females. (See below.)
Other Forms of Tuberculosis.
| Ages | 0— | 1— | 5— | 10— | 15— | 20— | 25— | 35— | 45— | 55— | 65— | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males. | 1909 | 4.46 | 1.92 | 0.51 | 0.18 | 0.16 | — | 0.16 | — | — | 0.49 | — |
| 1904-08 | ||||||||||||
| Females | 1909 | 0.66 | 1.52 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.12 | _ | 0.16 | _ | 0.11 | 0.17 | — |
| 1904-08 | ||||||||||||
Much importance is attached by certain authorities to the segregation of consumptives
in institutions during the last stages of the disease. Of the 161 deaths due to the disease
which were recorded last year, 74 took place in institutions, viz.:—
In Paddington Workhouse and Infirmary 46
Other Infirmaries 4
Lunatic Asylums 9
General Hospitals 7
Special (Chest) Hospitals 3
St. Luke's Home 4
Sanatorium 1
Private Nursing Homes 2 (not included in total of 74).
The proportion of males dying in institutions (47.4 per cent.) was slightly higher than
that of females (43.5 per cent.)
Enquiries have been made to ascertain the length of segregation before death. The only
results which can be given relate to the deaths in the Paddington Workhouse and Infirmary,
in lunatic asylums, and in St. Luke's Home.
As regards the Workhouse and Infirmary patients the Medical Superintendent examined
the case papers relating to each of the 46 deceased persons (32 males, 14 females). He
found that 37 of the deceased persons had not been inmates of either institution before being
admitted for the illness which ended in death and that those patients were segregated from
the day the disease was notified in each case until death. There is no evidence of the actual
duration of the disease. The average interval between notification and death was, for 25
males 67.4 days, with a maximum period of 212 days, and a minimum of 1 day (1 case each);
and for 12 females, 19.0 days, with a maximum period of 93 days (1 case) and a minimum of