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
Deptford 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford Borough]
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71
Infantile Diarrhæa.
Since 1920, this has been notifiable in the case of children under two years of age, and the following are particulars of notifications received and deaths:—
| Average 1920-24 | Average 1925-29 | Average 1930-34 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases Notified | 66 | 75 | 26 | 12 | 58 | 29 | 31 |
| Deaths | 28 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
All cases of Infantile Diarrhoea are investigated by the Health
Visitors with the object of securing nursing assistance or hospital
treatment where such is required. Insanitary conditions are passed to
the District Sanitary Inspector to be dealt with.
At the Babies Hospital two children exhibiting symptoms of
Gastro-enteritis died. The Medical Officer was of opinion that the
cases were of streptococcal origin, and the staff were swabbed. One
nurse, reported "positive," was sent off duty. Investigation failed to
trace any connection between the two cases, which had been separately
nursed in different wards.
Puerperal Fever.
The following is a tabular statement of the notifications and deaths in recent years.
| Year. | Cases. | Deaths. | Death-rate per 1,000 births. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average 1915-1924 | 7 | 4 | 1.6 |
| „ 1925-1929 | 8 | 3 | 1.7 |
| „ 1930-1934 | 5 | 3.4 | 2.0 |
| 1935 | 1 | — | — |
| 1936 | 2 | — | — |
| 1937 | 5 | — | — |
| 1938 | 2 | — | — |
From 1933 onwards, the death-rate is calculated per 1,000 total
(live and still) births.