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

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London County Council 1928

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

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135
out the whole of London during the entire seven months, December to June. In a
large town like London an epidemic among the child popuplation, whose movements
are largely confined to a circumscribed area around their homes, takes some time
in migrating from one district to another before it has spent itself.
During the seven months ended 30th June, 1928, 41,477 cases were reported
as occurring among children attending the Council's schools. It is probable, therefore,
that a total of approximately 100,000 cases occurred among persons of all ages
in London.

The incidence corresponds closely with previous epidemics as will be noted below :

Cases reported from schools.
1923-4 (6 months ended 31st May, 1924)41,261 cases.
1925-6 (6 do. 30th April, 1926)39,387 cases.
1927-8 (7 do. 30th June, 1928)41,477 cases.

The case rate was highest in Battersea, Greenwich, Deptford, Stoke Newington
and Islington. The incidence in the west and north-western districts, viz., Paddington,
Kensington, Hammersmith and Hampstead was also relatively high. The
districts least affected in proportion to the school population were Poplar, Stepney,
Bethnal Green, Southwark, Chelsea and Westminster, i.e., in some of the most
congested and poorer areas (see table below). The lower prevalence in schools situated
in the poorer class districts is explained by the fact that generally speaking the
children suffer from measles before they reach school age, whereas in the better
residential neighbourhoods they live somewhat more sheltered lives before they go
to school.

Incidence of Measles among School Children for the Seven Months ended 30th June, 1928. Numbers of Cases of Measles Reported by Head Teachers.

School Medical Division and Metropolitan Borough.December, 4 weeks.January, 4 weeks.February, 4 weeks.March, 5 weeks.April, 4 weeks.May, 4 weeks.June, 4 weeks.Total, 29 weeks.Approximate rate per 1,000 children in average attendance (1927-28).Rate per 1,000 above or below mean for London.
N. W.
Paddington172163377488182291,17786+ 13
Kensington2896133601228125551,26687+ 14
Hammersmith3389340497187102871,33586+ 13
Fulham8615940350911856311,36266— 7
Chelsea52151121711473134854—19
Westminster281873932588954160—13
St. Marylebone11315130870374362367— 6
Hampstead34261259287742646490+ 17
St. Pancras19883208103441461131,84072— 1
Total2725151,5643,2881,6861,1275048,95669— 4
N.E.
Islington3646471,1931,0071772431563,78791+ 18
Stoke Newington34102226439242792+ 19
Hackney3906546114218866892,31981+ 8
Holborn44959135419279730
Finsbury11936120562143464859730
Shoreditch1924333301732144921,28579+ 6
Total1,0722,1412,5361,9803784374128,95684+ 11