London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Chelsea 1922

Annual report for 1922 of the Medical Officer of Health

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mean temperature of this quarter was low, namely 57.3°, as against
64.2° in 1921, when there were 12 deaths. The rainfall of the summer
quarter in 1922 was 8.1 inches, as against 2.6 inches in 1921. In connection
with these diseases, 27 visits were made to homes, and 27 cases
were, as a result, discovered.
Malaria.
Two cases of Malaria were notified in 1922, both being persons
(civilians) who had resided in India, the disease having been contracted
there. Malarial parasites were found in the blood in each of these cases.
Another specimen of blood was submitted for investigation from another
supposed case, but no malarial parasites were found.
Influenza.
Influenza caused 48 deaths in 1922, 40 of which occurred in the
first quarter of the year when the disease was epidemic. Of the 48 deaths,
3 were of infants under one year, 2 were between 1 and 5 years, 8 between
20 and 40, 18 between 40 and 60, and 17 over 60 years. In London there
were 2,572 deaths from Influenza in 1922, as compared with 1,006 in
1921.
In Chelsea no cases of Influenzal Pneumonia were notified in the
first, second and third quarters, and only 3 cases in the fourth quarter.
On behalf of the Borough Council an extra nurse was engaged on the
staff of the Chelsea District Nursing Association for the 4 weeks ended
the 8th February, so that all severe cases of Influenza and Pneumonia
might receive adequate nursing attention, where required. Subsequent
to the epidemic period, four cases of Influenza were attended by District
Nurses, the average number of visits per case being 10.
Pneumonia.
Pneumonia and Broncho-Pneumonia caused 49 deaths in Chelsea
in 1922, as against 43 in 1921. In the first quarter of the year 53 cases
of acute primary Pneumonia were notified, in the second quarter, 5, in
the third, 1, and in the fourth, 8. The District Nurses paid 183 visits
to 15 patients suffering from Pneumonia, the average number of visits
per case being 12. In London there were 6,522 deaths from Pneumonia
in 1922, as against 1,799 in 1921.
Tuberculosis.
The deaths from Pulmonary Tuberculosis in 1922 numbered 51
(28 males and 23 females), as against 58 in 1921. Other Tuberculous
diseases caused 9 deaths (7 males and 2 females), as against 12 in 1921.
Of the 60 deaths from all forms of Tuberculosis, 11 had not been notified
at any time prior to death occurring. Of the Pulmonary Tuberculosis
cases ending fatally, 27 per cent. died in the Chelsea Infirmary, and 33
per cent. in other public institutions, that is to say, 60 per cent. died
away from their homes, the corresponding figure for 1921 being 61 per
cent. During 1922,113 new cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were notified,
as against 103 in 1921. Forty-seven specimens of sputum were sent by
medical practitioners to the Lister Institute for examination, as against
63 in 1921. Of the 47 specimens, 19 per cent. were positive for tubercle
bacilli, and 81 per cent. were negative, as compared with 16 per cent.
positive, and 84 per cent. negative in 1921.