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1910] 112
Now when the fact that the mortality of the borough has so largely
decreased, together with the circumstances that pari passu there has been a
large diminution of the cases of infectious diseases, are taken into consideration,
a most satisfactory state of health affairs is exhibited. Indeed, it is
one at which the borough may well rejoice. One cannot prognosticate that
such good health will be always enjoyed in the future, but judging by the
steadiness, allowing for the usual slight oscillations, with which it has fallen
during the last twenty years, it is perhaps not too much to hope that it will
not vary much; unless, indeed, the character of the population alters very
much for the worse.
Hospital Isolation. —Of the 1,525 persons who w ere notified as suffering
from these diseases, 1,247 were treated in hospital, of whom 68, or 5.4 per
cent, died; while of the 278 patients who remained at home, 11 or 3.9 per
cent, succumbed.
SMALL POX.
One case only was notified. It was the last of the sequence of cases
that had their origin in Russia, whence, as described in the Annual Report
for 1909, it was conveyed to Islington by a member of an English Theatrical
Troupe, who had been performing there. The patient recovered.
It is satisfactory to find that the borough remains practically free from
Small Pox, as during the last six years only seven genuine cases were known.
On several occasions, however, a false alarm was raised, but the cases, on
examination, proved to be Chicken Pox. The failure of medical men to
recognise the disease is not to be wondered at considering the few opportunities*
they now have of seeing it, thanks to vaccination. The last outbreak of any
extent occurred in 1902, when 270 cases were notified. Since then only 3?>
have been known.
Hospital Isolation.- The case was removed to hospital.
Fatality.—The case recovered.
Since 1891 there have been 694 cases of Small Pox notified, of which
75 died, so that the fatality has been 10.8 per cent.
SCARLET FEVER.
There have never been so few cases of this disease in the borough, when
the increase of population is taken into consideration, as during the
year under discussion, when only 730 were notified. The actual lowest