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13
The deaths from influenza during 1930 numbered 366 as compared with 3,118
in 1929. The mortality in 1930 was lower than that in any year since 1889.
Influenza.
The deaths in London from rheumatic fever in 1930 numbered 174, of which 72
were among children under 15 years of age. The corresponding figures in 1929
were 168 and 68 respectively.
Rheumatic
fever
The following is an extract from the report of the Medical Officer of Health of
the Metropolitan Borough of St. Pancras for the year 1930 concerning a case of
yellow fever:—
Yellow fever.
"A death from this disease took place in the Borough during the year, and, as
such an occurrence is so unusual in this country, inquiries were made as to the mode
and source of infection.
" The disease is endemic on the West Coast of Africa, and it has been generally
assumed that it was transmitted only by the bite of the Yellow Fever mosquito,
Edes Egypti (Stegomyia fasciata), but it is now known that other species of
mosquito can carry the disease.
" The case in question did not, however, originate in this manner; the deceased
was a laboratory worker in a research institute in which an investigation concerning
Yellow Fever had been going on for some time.
" The virus was kept alive in monkeys (Macacus rhesus) which till recently were
the only animals known to be susceptible to infection.
" Early in the investigation one of the medical staff and his laboratory assistant
contracted the disease in a mild form and both recovered.
" Some time later another laboratory worker who assisted at a post-mortem
examination on a monkey was infected ; this was a very severe case, but he also
recovered. About 10 days later another of the laboratory staff was taken ill. How
he contracted the infection was not traced, but it is supposed that he handled some
contaminated apparatus. This patient was admitted to the Hospital for Tropical
Diseases, Endsleigh Gardens ; the case was moderately severe, but recovery ensued.
" During his stay in hospital, an examination of his blood was made by a member
of the hospital staff, and this person also contracted Yellow Fever, but recovered.
A blood examination of the last-mentioned case was also made, and the person
conducting the examination contracted the infection, and this case proved fatal in
five days, although convalescent serum was used on the first day.
" These cases appear to show that the infection of Yellow Fever can penetrate
through the unbroken skin, and that experimental work and the handling of instruments
and apparatus contaminated with infected blood is extremely dangerous.
" I am indebted for particulars of the above cases to Dr. N. Hamilton Fairley,
O.B.E., Director of Pathology and Assistant Physician to the Hospital for Tropical
Diseases; and Dr. C. M. Wenyon, C.M.G., C.B.E., Director-in-Chief of the Research
Institute concerned.
" After the occurrence of the last of the above-mentioned cases, it was decided
to stop the investigation, the animal house, laboratory, etc., were thoroughly cleansed,
and Dr. Wenyon stated work was no longer being done."
There were 6,908 deaths from cancer in 1930 as against 6,865 in 1929, and 6,773
in 1928. The death-rate per thousand was 1.57. There was an increase of 99 in
the male deaths and a decrease of 56 among the females.
Cancer.
Tuberculosis.
The deaths from tuberculosis of the respiratory system in London during 1930
numbered 3,826, giving a death-rate of 0'87 per thousand living, the corresponding
figures for 1929 being 4,230 and 0.96 respectively, and for 1928—3,985 and 0.89.
The increased mortality in 1929 is associated with the influenza epidemic of that
year. There were 526 deaths from other forms of tuberculosis in 1930 as against
584 in 1929, the death-rate being 0.12.
Tuberculosis.
The annual deaths and death-rates from pulmonary tuberculosis in recent years
are shown in the table on the next page: