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
Paddington 1921
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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36 diarrhcka
Mortality from Diarrhceal Diseases.—According to the tabulation made in the Department,
the deaths of children under two years of age from these diseases numbered 86 last year, but
according to the Quarterly Reports of the Registrar-General such deaths numbered 91, and
were 27 in excess of the average (64) for the ten years 1911-20.
Mortality from these diseases is usually markedly higher during the hotter months of the
year, i.e. during the summer and early autumn. Last year, as will be seen from the appended
tabulation, the deaths in the earlier months of the year were in excess of the averages.
•
Diarrhcea : Borough : Persons. Deaths at Ages 0—2 years. (From Quarterly Reports of Registrar-General.)
| Averages | Averages | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 1911-20 | 1921 | 1911-20 | ||
| 1st Quarter | 14 | 7 | 3rd Quarter | 35 | 29 |
| 2nd „ | 13 | 9 | 4th „ | 19 | 19 |
Last summer was one which judging by previous experience should have been characterised
by a severe epidemic of "summer diarrhoea" and the contrast between the experience of 1911
and that of 1921 is remarkable—see appended statement. One curious fact is the failure of
the earth temperature during the summer of last year to reach a mean of 60° Farh. for the
quarter.
"Diarrhcea" : Borough : Persons Deaths at Ages 0—2 years during Third Quarter only. (From Quarterly Reports of Registrar-General.)
| Deaths "Diarrhoea" | Temperatures (Mean) | Total Rainfall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Air | Earth | |||
| F° | F° | ins. | ||
| 1911 | 97 | 65. 1 | 64.0 | 2.94 |
| 1912 | 22 | 58.0 | 60.2 | 5.64 |
| 1913 | 29 | 58.7 | 59.8 | 5.43 |
| 1914 | 43 | 60.7 | 61.5 | 3.22 |
| 1915 | 37 | 59.4 | 60.5 | 8.37 |
| 1916 | 13 | 59.7 | 59.9 | 5.90 |
| 1917 | 13 | 60.7 | 62.6 | 10.22 |
| 1918 | 5 | 60.0 | 61.7 | 11.80 |
| 1919 | 22 | 59.6 | 56.7 | 5.62 |
| 1920 | 12 | 57.9 | 56.0 | 8.49 |
| 1921 | 35 | 63.6 | 57.8 | 2.65 |
| 1911-20 | 29 | 60.0 | 60.2 | 6.73 |
Meteorological conditions alone cannot, it is believed, determine the prevalence of
epidemic diarrhoea. Of the other more or less obscure factors, mention should be made
of the increased use of dried milk, the lessened amounts of horse manure stored in the vicinity
of dwelling houses and the high prices of fruits—all of which favour a low prevalence of
diarrhoea.
As in former years arrangements were made to obtain information of cases of diarrhoea
treated at the Hospitals within the Borough and by the Poor Law Medical Officers. Every
known case was visited by the Women Inspectors, and parents advised as to treatment being
sought and as to the food suitable for the children.
Measles.—Last year 123 cases of this disease occurred in the Borough, as compared
-with 1,946 in 1920, and 1,785 in 1919. In addition 82 cases of German measles were reported
last year, the totals for 1919 and 1920 being 155 and 88 respectively. It is the custom to
combine the figures for these two diseases, the combined total for the past year being
205, the lowest on record since 1911. (See Table V.) The annual averages for the
quinquennia 1909-13 and 1914-18 were 1,336 and 2,215, last year.s total showing an almost
complete immunity from the diseases—a common phenomenon.
Ward Distribution.—The usual tabulation is given below. It is not worth while on this
occasion to do more than draw attention to the records.