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1908]
116
THE NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Small Pox, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Membranous Croup, Enteric or Typhoid Fever,
Erysipelas, Continued Fever, Relapsing Fever, and Cholera.
The above infections are those which are usually known as the notifiable
infectious diseases, which are reported to the London Public Health
Authorities under Section 55 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
During 1908 there were 2,289 cases notified, or 180 below the corrected
average of the preceding 10 years. They are, however, 226 above the number
notified in 1907.
These cases represent an attack-rate of 6.43 per 1,000 of the population,
as compared with a mean rate of 6.94 during the years 1898-1907.
It is satisfactory to note that, with the exception of Scarlet Fever, all the
diseases were below the corrected average of the preceding decennium.
The figures in the return given below show that since 1902 there has
been a steady fall in the attack-rate, which is probably more marked in the
case of Enteric Fever, an ailment which is most amenable to sanitary circumstances,
than in any of the other diseases.
This return gives the number of the cases together with the attack rate in
each year since 1891, when these diseases were first systematically notified.
It might be stated that in the early days of notification many cases were
not reported. This, however, can hardly be averred now, as the failure to notify
is a rare occurrence in Islington.
Years Cases. Attack-rates.
1891 2,059 = 6.43 per 1,000 inhabitants.
1892 3,318 = 10.26 „ „
1893 4,853 = 14.84 „ „
1894 3,121 = 9.44 „ „
1895 2,839 = 8.50 „ „
1896 3,824 = 11.32 „ „
1897 2,906 = 8.62 „ „
1898 2,418 = 7.18 ,, „
1899 2,943 = 8.75 „ „
1900 2,276 = 6.78 „ „
1901 2,852 = 8.50 „ „
1902 3,164 = 9.20 „ „
1903 1,707 = 5.03 „ „
1904 1,941 = 5.69 „ „
1905 1,928 = 5.62 „ „
1906 2,275 = 6.59 „ „
1907 2,063 = 5.94 „ „
1908 2,289 = 6.43 „ „