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

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Wandsworth 1871

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]

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25
The number of deaths resulting from these diseases is
seen in the Table to correspond with that of the year
preceding, which was exceptionally high, and to exceed the
average of the preceding 10 years by upwards of 80 per
cent. The excess was caused partly by the Epidemic of
Small Pox, partly by that of Scarlatina, but mostly by a
sudden and very fatal outbreak of Measles which occurred
during the Winter quarter. The figures in the Table show
the relative fatality from these diseases, the number of
deaths from Scarlatina having been upwards of a third
greater, and those from Measles considerably more than
twice greater than those from Small Pox, A little
correction of the Table, however, is here necessary, for the
number of deaths from Small Pox is that of those registered
in the Parish, and does not include those who died
in the public Hospitals; but if the latter be added, then
Small Pox exceeded Scarlatina by one death in 24, but
was exceeded by Measles by 7 in 31 deaths. So that
Small Pox, although in consequence of its wide spread
prevalence throughout the country, and the great fear
which, from its loathsome nature, it always produces
amongst the people, was the most notable, it was by no
means the most fatal of diseases of the epidemic class.
Scarlatina and Small Pox were present during the whole
year, but prevailed mostly in the Spring and Summer
quarters, Diarrhœa prevailed as usual principally in the
Autumn, but was attended with less fatality than during
the three preceding years. There was a smaller amount
of Fever (Typhus and Typhoid) than has occurred for
many years, having been probably supplanted by the
other eruptive fevers.
Sickness and Mortality of the Parochial Poor.— Table
5 in the Appendix will be found to contain the amount,
nature, and fatality of the sickness which prevailed
amongst the parochial poor during the past year, and
furnishes valuable information, corroborative of the deductions
which may be drawn from the general Table of