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

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London County Council 1896

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Number of " subsequent attacks in households " notified in affected area in 1896—

Week ending.Males. Females.
All ages.0-33-4-5-1010-11-12-13 and All upwards, ages.0-33-4-5-1010-11-12-13 and upwards.
1896. Jan. 4
„ 11
,, 181
,, 25
Feb. I
,, 8
„ 1511
,, 22
,, 29
Mar. 7
„ 1411
„ 21
,, 2811
April 4
„ 1111
„ 18
„ 25211
May 2
,, 9
„ 16
„ 2311
„ 3011
June 6211
„ 13311111
,, 201111
„ 2711
July 4321
„ 11
„ 181111
„ 25
Aug. 1211211
,, 81111
„ 1511
„ 22
„ 2911
Sept. 52II11
„ 121111
„ 19
„ 26
Oct. 311 11
„ 101111
„ 17
„ 241111
„ 314112
Nov. 711
,, 14
,, 2111
„ 2811211
Dec. 51I211
,, 12
„ 1911I1
„ 26
1897
Jan. 241111 11
Total3454513133 2771711

I may summarise what I have stated as follows—
1. In 1896 the diphtheria case rate in Camberwell was greater than the diphtheria case
rate of London, and that of the affected area greater than that of Camberwell.
2. The disease showed in the affected area a greater tendency to attack children of school
age than in London in 1895.
3. This tendency of the disease to especially attack children of school age is particularly
marked when first attacks of houses are considered.
4. There was tendency in the earlier part of the year for the disease to attack especially
girls aged 5—10.
5. There was decrease of diphtheria in the affected area at the times of school holidays
among children of school age.
These circumstances point to some condition especially affecting children at the school age,
and suggest that diphtheria lias been spreading in the schools in that locality.
Public Health Department, Shirley F. Murphy,
Spring Gardens, S.W., Medical Officer of Health.
4th March, 1897.