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10
SCARLET FEVER.
Scarlet Fever or Scarlatina caused 156 deaths, or 31 par
1000 of the total deaths from all causes. In the whole of
London this disease caused 37 per 1000 of the total deaths
and was therefore in excess of the proportion of deaths from
Scarlet Fever in St. Pancras. 156 deaths are slightly in
excess of the average number for the last 10 years.
866 cases were reported to the Sanitary Department
during the year of which 38 were removed to hospital, 28 of
these being sent at the expense of the Vestry to the London
Fever Hospital.
Deaths from Scarlet Fever are often due to the mistaken
belief that a mild case of this disease is less dangerous to its
neighbours than one more severe.
During last May, in a crowded house, a child suffered from
an attack of Scarlet Fever which the parents thought too
slight for it to be sent to hospital; as a result the disease
extended to six others.
FEVER.
During the year 1880 but one death was registered from
Typhus, this occurred in the Somers Town sub-registration
district, and was that of a boy thirteen years of ago. The
case was not known to the Sanitary Department until after
death occurred, and no opportunity was therefore given for it
to be seen by your Medical Officer. No evidence could be
found of the previous exposure of the boy to infection, his
was the only case of Typhus which occurred in the house,
and the disease did not extend further.
Enteric Fever caused 43 deaths during 1380, being in the
proportion of 8.7 in every 1000 deaths from all causes. In
the whole of London Enteric Fever caused 8.4 in every 1000
deaths from all causes.
In my last report I pointed out that with a proper system
of drainage and drain ventilation Enteric Fever might be
almost eliminated from our death returns, and I quoted the
76th section of the Metropolis Local Management Act to
show that with regard to all new houses every drain shall be
made in such "manner, form, and of such material and
workmanship" as the Vestry shall order.