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
Chelsea 1953
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1953
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ZYMOTIC DISEASES
The term 'Zymotic' was at one time applied to numerous diseases
which were considered to be "epidemic, endemic and contagious". However,
in the light of existing conditions, it is applicable to such diseases as
cholera, diarrhoea, diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever, smallpox, typhoid
and typhus fevers.
In 1953 the Zymotic Death Rate for Chelsea was 0.03 per 1,000 of the
population. In 1900 the rate was 2.26. It is far more significant when
rates are translated into actual figures as will be appreciated from the
fact that whilst in 1953 only two deaths occurred from a Zymotic disease
(Diarrhoea), a total of two hundred and nineteen were recorded in 1900.
The numbers of deaths at other periods during the past fifty-three years were as follows:-
| Year | Number |
|---|---|
| 1905 | 98 |
| 1910 | 66 |
| 1915 | 76 |
| 1920 | 41 |
| 1925 | 29 |
| 1930 | 22 |
| 1935 | 17 |
| 1940 | 1 |
| 1945 | 6 |
| 1950 | 3 |