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241
Mr. C. A. Matthew, of 29, Beauchamp Road, Forest Gate,
with reference to the prevalence of Diphtheria in the
Borough. The Board observe from the returns made to the
Registrar-General that there has been heavy mortality from
Diphtheria in West Ham, 204 deaths from the disease being
registered in the Borough in the course of the 12 months
ended 30th June last; and, adverting to the information
contained in the annual report for 1898 of the Medical
Officer of Health with reference to the prevalence of
Diphtheria, I am to request that the Town Council will
instruct the Medical Officer of Health to prepare a report
as to the circumstances under which the epidemic prevalence
is maintained, and as to the measures of prevention recently
taken by the Medical Officer of Health or the Town Council.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) NOEL T. KERSHAW,
Assistant Secretary.
The Town Clerk,
West Ham.
[Copy Enclosure.]
To the Right Honourable the President of the
Local Government Board, Whitehall, S.W.
Sir,
I respectfully beg that your consideration may be given
to the facts stated below, and that such powers as your
Board possess may be used for the public benefit:—
(1) A permanent centre of infectious disease exists in the
Borough of West Ham, and in the event of such
epidemic disease as plague will be a source of
danger to the whole Metropolis.
(2) The general death-rate of West Ham is less than that
of London, but the zymotic death-rate is very much
higher.
Q