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14
the better class area. Comparing the death-rate, it is found to be much higher
proportionately in the poorer classes below two years of age, when it is more than
three times as great, but, on the other hand, between five and fifteen years of age
there is a higher mortality in the better class areas. Apparently the higher rate of
incidence in the earlier years in the poorer boroughs has produced a greater degree
of immunity from the more severe type of disease. In respect of case-mortality
there is not very much difference between the two classes of population up to five
years of age, the advantage being with the poorer class districts; but again at the
age of five to fifteen the case-mortality is in excess in the better class districts, being
nearly twice as great. The figures, which are shown in the following table relate to
the period 1921-25. The less densely populated boroughs of Group I comprise
Hampstead, Lewisham and Wandsworth, while Group II comprises Bermondsey,
Bethnal Green, Finsbury, Shoreditch and Stepney:—
Age period.
Case-rate per 1,000 living.
Death-rate per 1,000 living.
Case-mortality per cent.
I.
II.
I.
II.
I.
II.
0—l 1.6 5.2 0.2 0.8 15.3 15.4
1—2 4.1 15.0 0.6 1.9 14.1 12.6
2—5 8.8 21.1 1.0 2.0 11.5 9.3
0—5 6.2 15.9 0.7 1.7 12.1 10.5
5—15 6.6 8.2 0.4 0.3 6.3 3.8
Diarrhoea
and
Enteritis.
Diarrhcea and enteritis caused 948 deaths among children under two years of
age in London during 1926, this being 12.03 per thousand births. The corresponding
rate in 1925 was 10.79.
Outbreak of
diarrhœal
disease in
Poplar.
An outbreak of illness of a diarrhœeal character occurred in Poplar in July,
the days of chief intensity being the 11th and 12th, when 114 cases occurred, out
of a total for the month of 238. The cases mostly occurred in a circumscribed area
between the Poplar Gas Works and East India Dock. The outbreak was investigated
by Dr. George C. Hancock, C.B.E., on behalf of the Ministry of Health. No
evidence was found involving the food supply and the bacteriological results in
that respect were negative. The incidence was greatest among women and children,
and it was found that samples of drinking water taken in the invaded area gave
very unfavourable results on bacteriological examination by Dr. Scott in the Ministry
of Health's laboratories. Investigation showed that it would have been possible
under certain conditions of pressure for polluted water from the Gas Works to be
forced back into one of the Metropolitan Water Board's mains on the area of the
outbreak. (Ministry of Health: Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects,
No. 41).
Typhoid
fever.
There were 302 notifications of typhoid fever in London in 1926 (52 weeks) as
compared with 395 in 1925 (52 weeks). The deaths in the calendar year numbered
31, the mortality being lower than recorded in any previous year in London.
In 19 instances two or more than two cases were notified from one house, as
compared with 24 in 1925. Five cases occurred in a household occupying a tenement
in Stepney, fried fish being the cause of infection suggested. Four cases occurred
in two instances, one in Hampstead where a carrier was implicated and one in Bethnal
Green where the first case was not recognised as typhoid fever until three others
had occurred. There were four instance of 3 cases in one house and twelve of 2 cases.
Eleven deaths from typhoid fever were not notified. Seven of these occurred
in mental hospitals situated outside the County; Of the 4 remaining cases one
was diagnosed post-mortem and in three typhoid or paratyphoid fever was certified
as a secondary cause of death.
Anthrax.
During 1926, seven cases of anthrax, of which one proved fatal, occurred in
London. The infection was attributable in five instances to the handling of foreign
hides, and, in one case, to feathers which were imported from China. In the fatal