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
Bethnal Green 1925
[Report on the health of the Borough of Bethnal Green during the year 1925]
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40
NOTIFIABLE DISEASES, Etc.
Diphtheria.
There were 493 cases of diphtheria notified during
the year.
Of these, there were 13 cases under the age of 1
year, 201 between the ages of 1 and 5 years, 207
between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 46 between the
ages of 15 and 25 years, 25 between the ages of 25
and 45 years, and 1 between the ages of 45 and
65 years.
Of the 493 cases, all were removed to an isolation
hospital except 3. These cases were treated at home,
proper facilities being available for isolation and
treatment.
Nineteen deaths from this disease occurred during
the year.
Comparison with previous years is as follows :—
| Comparison with previous years is as follows :— | ||
| 1918 | 26 | deaths |
| 1919 | 58 | |
| 1920 | 36 | |
| 1921 | 34 | |
| 1922 | 34 | |
| 1923 | 20 | |
| 1924 | 29 | |
Of the 19 deaths, 2 were those of children under
1 year of age and 11 over 1 year and under 5. The
second, third, fourth, and fifth years of life comprise
the epoch when the young child is most susceptible
to diphtheria, and a heavy toll of life is taken. Of the
201 cases occurring during this period of life, it will be
seen that 5.5 per cent. died. At the epoch 5-15 years
the mortality was only 2.9 per cent. of those attacked.
Antidiphtheritic serum is stocked at the Town
Hall and supplied free on the order of a doctor;
36,000 units were supplied during the year.