London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1922
Report on the sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney for the year 1922
This page requires JavaScript
The following table shows the distribution of diphtheria in the respective Sub-districts of the Borough:—
| Sub-Districts. | North. | Central. | South-west. | South-east. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of cases of Diphtheria and Membranous Croup | 174 | 191 | 172 | 195 |
| Attack-rate per 1,000 living | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.4 |
From the above it will be seen that diphtheria was most acute
in the Central Sub-district.
The deaths from diphtheria and membranous croup during
the year numbered 22. This mortality is equal to a death-rate of
3'0 per cent. attacked and 0.09 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared
with a death-rate of 5.3 per cent. attacked, and 0'20 per
1,000 inhabitants for the previous year.
The death-rate from diphtheria for London during the same
period is 0"25 per 1,000 inhabitants.
During the year 823 swabbings from throats of persons
suspected to be suffering from diphtheria were bacteriological!)'
examined, of which 257 gave positive results, 547 negative results,
and 19 were returned as doubtful.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin.—In accordance with the Anti-toxia
Order of 1910, a supply of diphtheria anti-toxin was provided
during the year, and issued as required to medical practitioners
applying for it in cases of diphtheria or suspected cases of diphtheria
amongst the poorer inhabitants of the Borough. During
the year 129 bottles of anti-toxin of 500, 2,000 and 8,000 units each
respectively were supplied to medical practitioners, most of which
was used for prophylactic purposes.