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 1890
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]
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| DISEASE. | No. cases notified. | No. patients removed to Hospital | No. died in Hospital | No. died at Home | Total deaths in Hospital and at Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarlatina | 117 | 35 | 3 | .. | 3 |
| Erysipelas | 70 | 13 | .. | 2 | 2 |
| Diphtheria | 39 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 11 |
| Membranous-Croup | 2 | 1 | .. | 1 | 1 |
| Enteric Fever | 29 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Continued Fever | 5 | .. | .. | .. | .. |
| Puerperal Fever | 3 | .. | .. | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 265 | 63 | 9 | 20 | 29 |
From an examination of the figures it is seen that of
the total 265 cases notified 29 deaths, or 11 per cent.
(nearly) resulted, the fatality being a fraction over one
tenth part of the cases treated at home, and one seventh
of the cases treated in hospital; the greater mortality
of the latter being most probably due to their greater
severity. The figures also indicate the fatality of the
several diseases notified in relation to their number. Thus
the per case fatality of Scarlatina is seen to have been
2.5 per cent.; of Erysipelas 2.8; of Diphtheria 28.2;
and of Enteric (or Typhoid) Fever 34.4 per cent. So
that while the epidemic of Scarlatina and of Erysipelas,
which ran side by side and appeared to be closely
associated, were of a very mild character, those of Diphtheria
and Enteric-fever were attended with great and
probably more than their usual fatality. The other
diseases were either unattended by fatality, as Continued
Fever, or not sufficiently numerous, as Puerperal-fever
and Membranous Croup, to admit of similar deductions.
76 per cent,.of all the cases were treated at home.