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62
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
In spite of the fact that the number of cases notified was the
highest recorded for many years, the case mortality was the lowest
on record.
The increase of work caused by the outbreak was very great,
but in spite of the depletion of the staff on account of war services
the usual inquiries were carefully carried out and all necessary
precautions taken.
During the months of October and November, and up to the
nth December, the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board
were quite full and the utmost difficulty was experienced in getting
cases of Scarlet Fever removed.
This condition of affairs was not at all conducive in checking
the occurrence of the disease, as in several instances multiple cases
occurred in households which were in all probability infected by
the first case while awaiting admission to hospital.
Diphtheria.
The number of cases of Diphtheria notified during the year
shows an increase compared with the previous year, and is also
higher than the average number for the last 10 years.
The following Table shows the number of cases notified, the
number of deaths that occurred in the separate sub-districts and
in the whole Borough for the years 1904-1913 inclusive, the average
for the 10 years, and the number of cases and deaths in 1914.