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 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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14
SCARLET FEVER.
During 1927 there were 320 cases of scarlet fever notified. Of these there were no cases
under the age of 1 year, 65 between the ages of 1 and 5 years, 201 between the ages of 5 and
15 years, 23 between the ages of 15 and 25 years, and 31 over the age of 25 years.
Of the 320 cases 304 were removed to an Isolation Hospital. The remaining cases were
treated at home, proper facilities being available for isolation and treatment. Only 3 deaths
from scarlet fever occurred, the disease being usually of a mild type.
There was a marked increase in the number of cases of scarlet fever notified last year,
the increase being almost entirely amongst children of school age.
During the year the Metropolitan Asylums Board decided to alter their policy as regards
the unrestricted admission of all scarlet fever cases, and to restrict the number of admissions
should the beds be required for measles cases. Although the number of measles cases admitted
from the London area was considerable it was not necessary to put any restriction
on the admission of scarlet fever cases during the year.
Seasonal prevalence.—The following table shows the numbers of cases notified in each
four-weekly period during 1927.
1927.
Notifications of Scarlet Fever.
Four-Weekly Periods.
| Period No. 1. | Period No. 2. | Period No. 3. | Period No. 4. | Period No. S. | Period No. 6. | Period No. 7. | Period No. 8. | Period No. 9. | Period No. 10. | Period No. 11. | Period No. 12. | Period No. 13. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 816 | 739 | 753 | 851 | 944 | 1,082 | 1,148 | 974 | 915 | 1,237 | 1,527 | 1,264 | 1,029 | 13,279 |
| Paddington | 15 | 14 | 15 | 22 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 26 | 15 | 48 | 43 | 35 | 38 | 320 |
| Queen's Park | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | – | – | 1 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 70 |
| Harrow Road | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | i | 7 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 59 |
| Maida Vale | 2 | – | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | – | 3 | 1 | 5 | – | 4 | 3 | 29 |
| Town | – | 1 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| Church | 2 | 3 | – | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 27 |
| West bourne | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 79 |
| Lancaster Gate, West | 2 | – | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | – | – | 1 | 1 | – | 8 |
| Lancaster Gate, East | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Hyde Park | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | – | – | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 3 | 19 |
DIPHTHERIA.
(Including Membranous Croup).
During 1927 there were 367 cases of diphtheria notified. Of these there were 14 cases
under the age of 1 year, 105 between the ages of 1 and 5 years, 178 between the ages of 5 and
15 years, 40 between the ages of 15 and 25 years, 24 between the ages of 25 and 45 years, and
8 aged 45 years and upwards.
Of the 367 cases, 366 were removed to Isolation Hospitals. The remaining case was
treated at home, proper facilities being available for isolation and treatment. Eleven deaths
from this disease occurred during 1927, 10 of the deaths being those of children under the
age of 5 years.
Comparison with previous years is as follows:—
| 1919 | 17 deaths. |
| 1920 | 25 „ |
| 1921 | 22 „ |
| 1922 | 25 „ |
| 1923 | 14 „ |
| 1924 | 14 „ |
| 1925 | 11 „ |
| 1926 | 21 „ |
| 1927 | 11 „ |