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

Wandsworth 1873

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

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Table: Epidemic Diseases.—Their Prevalence and Fatality.— The following table shows the deaths which have resulted from the 7 principal Epidemic diseases during the past and ten preceding years, and the relation which they bore to the deaths from all causes.

Epidemic Diseases.—Their Prevalence and Fatality.— The following table shows the deaths which have resulted from the 7 principal Epidemic diseases during the past and ten preceding years, and the relation which they bore to the deaths from all causes.

YEARSSmall PoxMeaslesScarlet FeverDiphtheriaWhooping CoughCholeraDiarrhœaFever—Typhus and TyphoidTotal Deaths From EpidemicsTotal Deaths from all causesPer centage of deaths from Epidemics to deaths from all causes
186382239...6136230020.6
18644...369...8134331113.8
186552316...19185433815.9
1866323102571857335120.7
186731716177333329.9
1868...85220...2276439416.2
1869...2336...7...2359442921.9
1870...248416...331011345025.1
1871143123...11...21310345322.7
1872151313...2044736512.8
1873...4...38...2274443310.1

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20
Social Position.—Upwards of 74 per cent. of all
deaths, and 78 per cent. of the deaths from Zymotic
diseases, took place amongst the labouring classes. Both
amounts are considerably less than the average.
Inquests, Violent and Uncertified Deaths.—28
inquests were held during the year. 9 deaths resulted
from violence, 8 of which were accidental, and 1 suicidal.
In 11 instances the cause of death was not certified by
medical testimony, and in 5 the cause of death was not
specified, thus furnishing the usual annual evidence of the
necessity which exists for the intervention of the law in
order to ensure a medical inquiry in all cases of death not
certified by a registered medical practitioner. (See last
year's report on this subject.)