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12
Diarrhoea and Enteritis.
There were 19 deaths from these diseases in Chelsea in 1921, as
against 12 deaths in 1920. Of the 19 deaths, 14 were infants under one
year of age; 2 were between 1 and 5 years; one was a child of 7 years,
and 2 were old people. Twelve of the deaths occurred in the third or
summer quarter of the year, the mean temperature of this quarter being
64.2° F., as compared with 59.1° F. of the summer quarter of 1920. The
rainfall in the third quarter of 1921 was only 2.6 inches, as against 8.3 inches
in 1920. In connection with these diseases, 62 visits were made to homes,
and 35 cases were, as a result, discovered.
Malaria.
One case of Malaria only was notified in 1921, the patient being an
ex-soldier, and the disease contracted in Africa. The blood of this man
was found to contain malarial organisms.
Influenza.
Influenza caused 23 deaths in Chelsea in 1921, as against 10 in 1920,
104 in 1919, and 234 in 1918. Two of the deaths were of persons between
20 and 40 years, 7 between 40 and 60, and 14 over 60. In London there
were 1,006 deaths in 1921, as against 1,364 in 1920, 4,222 in 1919, and
12,927 in 1918. Three cases of influenzal pneumonia were notified in
the first quarter of the year, and three cases in the fourth quarter. No
nurses visits were made to influenzal pneumonia cases in 1921.
Pneumonia.
Pneumonia and broncho-pneumonia caused 43 deaths in Chelsea in
1921, as against 49 in 1920, 53 in 1919, and 82 in 1918. Ten cases of
acute primary pneumonia were notified in the first quarter of the year,
none in the second, 8 in the third, and 4 in the fourth quarter. The
nurses paid 156 visits to 10 patients suffering from pneumonia, the
average number of visits per patient being 16. In London there were
4,799 deaths from pneumonia in 1921, as against 5,338 in 1920, 4,597
in 1919, and 7,485 in 1918.
Tuberculosis.
The deaths from Pulmonary Tuberculosis in 1921 numbered 58
(33 males and 25 females), as against 73 in 1920. Other tuberculous
diseases caused 12 deaths (3 males and 9 females), as against 11 in 1920.
Of the Pulmonary Tuberculosis cases ending fatally, 30 per cent. died
in the Chelsea Infirmary, and 31 per cent. in other public institutions,
that is to say, 61 per cent. died away from their homes, the corresponding
figure for 1920 being 71 per cent. During the year 1921, 103
new cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were notified, as against 119 in
1920. Sixty-three specimens of sputum were sent by medical practitioners
to the Lister Institute for examination, as against 48 in 1920. Of the
63 specimens, 16 per cent. were positive for tubercle bacilli, and 84 per
cent. were negative, as compared with 19 per cent. positive and 81 per
cent. negative in 1920. A large number of patients received hospital
and sanatorium treatment under the London County Council scheme,
which now embraces both insured and uninsured patients.