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
Southwark 1917
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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56
DIPHTHERIA.
There has been a distinct increase during the last few vears in the
number of cases of Diphtheria notified, although for the particular vear
under consideration there is a slight decrease. This has been attributed
somewhat to the general unrest in the lives of the children and to the
lessened parental care bestowed upon them. Picture Palaces may have
had a share in the increase. The total notifications numbered 580 and
the deaths 46 for the year.
The percentage of deaths to the cases notified was 7.9.
The annual mortality per 1,000 inhabitants was 0.27.
The number of cases notified as compared with London, during the last ten years was:—
| In Southwark | In London. | In Southwark. | In London. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | 270 | 8,002 | 1913 | 327 | 7,654 |
| 1909 | 256 | 6,685 | 1914 | 338 | 9,118 |
| 1910 | 284 | 5,494 | 1915 | 387 | 9 166 |
| 1911 | 293 | 7,389 | 1916 | 412 | 8,754 |
| 1912 | 284 | 7,101 | 1917 | 580 | 8,300 |
Number of deaths from Diphtheria during the last ten years:—
| In Southwark. | In London. | In Southwark. | In London. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | 32 | 724 | 1913 | 19 | 431 |
| 1909 | 33 | 605 | 1914 | 37 | 706 |
| 1910 | 35 | 434 | 1915 | 37 | 699 |
| 1911 | 30 | 612 | 1916 | 41 | 604 |
| 1912 | 27 | 452 | 1917 | 46 | 580 |
Of the 580 cases notified 560, or 96.5 per cent., were removed to
hospital with 41 deaths, a mortality of 7.3 per cent., whilst in the 20
cases treated at home there were 5 deaths, a mortality of 25.0 per cent.
ENTERIC FEVER.
The deaths from Enteric Fever in the borough during the year
numbered 5, as against 2, 3 and 2. in the three preceding years.
The total number of cases notified was 10 for the present year, and
24, 23 and 13, for the three preceding years.