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 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]
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Comparison with previous years is as follows:—
| Notifications | Deaths | Death Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | 298 | 9 | .09 |
| 1919 | 393 | 4 | .04 |
| 1920 | 1070 | 12 | .10 |
| 1921 | 996 | 10 | .08 |
| 1922 | 356 | 6 | .05 |
| 1923 | 316 | 5 | .04 |
| 1924 | 426 | 5 | .04 |
| 1925 | 333 | 4 | .03 |
| 1926 | 469 | - | - |
| 1927 | 610 | 4 | .03 |
| 1928 | 623 | 2 | .02 |
| 1929 | 569 | 4 | .04 |
| 1930 | 527 | 1 | .009 |
Smallpox .
Nine hundred and forty-five eases of Smallpox
occurred in the Borough during the year, while many
cases occurred in other London Boroughs with contacts
in Bethnal Green.
The last serious outbreak of Smallpox in the
Borough took place in 1904, when 118 cases were
notified. Since then, sporadic cases have occurred, as
follows: —
1905 3 1915 1 1922 1
1906 6 1918 2 1923 1
1911 3 1919 1 1925 11
1928 4
The present outbreak of Smallpox began in March,
1929, and showed no signs of abating at the end of the
year when the number of cases notified had reached 263.
The character of the disease remained unchanged, i.e.,
it continued in its mild form. During 1930 the disease
was at its height in the Borough, but now it seems to
be subsiding.
There was 1 death in 1929, and 2 deaths in 1930.
The latter were certified as (Female, 11 years) Pyæmia,
Smallpox (discrete modified); (Female, 18 days) Smallpox,
Prematurity, Jaundice.
The graph elsewhere shews the course of the
outbreak throughout the year.