London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Islington 1860

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Parish of St Mary]

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The following is an abstract of the table:—

Cases.
Upper Holloway.Lower Holloway.Highbury.Thornhill,Barnsbury.St. Mary.Canonbury.St. Peter's.Total.
1859—January12..l....228
February3....l12119
March2....132....10
April........21317
May..1..1..21..5
June......5......38
July21..4....1311
August6..11........8
September31..3......18
October2....21......5
November5............611
December12..51..2213
1860—January361275....344
February1531011..223
March445111..21138
April121..41..1120
May11..41....916
June....1..........1
July3..........227
August2..12......27
September..............11
October..1........1..2
November......13..1..5
December........41....5
Cases4027137927101660272
Of which died1230133031246

It appears, then, that while from 5 to 13 cases monthly came under my cognizance
during 1859, the number rose in January 1860 to as many as 44 ; in February there
were 23, in March 38, in April 20, and in May 16. The epidemic was now declining,
7 cases being the largest number returned to me from all sources during any succeeding
month. The monthly mortality of the disease may be gathered from Table II.
The largest number of deaths occurred in the months of January and February. In
March, April, and May, although the disease still prevailed extensively, only 6 deaths
occurred from it—its virulence was from some cause checked. This will appear
more clearly on comparing the fatality of the cases prior and subsequently to the
close of February 1860. Up to this time, according to the above table, 178 cases
came under notice, of which 36 or 21 per cent. were fatal. From March to December
102 cases occurred, of which only 10 or 9'8 per cent. were fatal. This result is
remarkable.
The parts of the Parish which, so far as my information extends, suffered most,
were the Wards of Upper Holloway, Thornhill, and St. Peter's. These also were the
Wards, as appears from Table III. of the present and last year's Report, in which the
mortality was greatest. The parts which were least affected were Highbury and St
Mary's Wards. The streets, courts, &c., in which the disease appeared to spread
most, were the following :—
In Upper Holloway—Gordon Court, in which I ascertained the occurrence of 7 cases
and 3 deaths; Brunswick Road, in which I found 7 cases and 5 deaths;