London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Marylebone 1902
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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7
SMALL POX.
The epidemic of small pox began in June of the previous
year, that is in 1901, and only slowly developed. 2 cases
occurred in July and 13 in August. From August, 1901,
until the second week in July, 1902, the Borough was never
free entirely from cases of small pox, hence the epidemic
lasted about 12 months.
Local Distribution.—The number of small pox cases occurring during the period was 182, 124 of which belong to the year 1902, and the balance, 58, to the preceding year. The five sub-districts were unequally affected as follows:—
| Number of Cases. | Attack rate per 10,000 of population. | |
|---|---|---|
| All Souls | 53 | 15.0 |
| Rectory | 34 | 17.1 |
| St. Mary | 26 | 14.4 |
| Christ Church | 51 | 12.9 |
| St. John | 18 | 8.8 |
| The whole district | 182 | 13.6 |
If the proportion to population be considered, and not
the actual numbers, then it will at once be seen the chief
incidence of the epidemic fell upon All Souls, the Rectory
and St. Mary, and that the district of St. John's Wood was
but slightly affected.
Case Mortality.—8 persons died of small pox in 1901
and 23 in 1902, therefore the total deaths were 31, which
gives a case mortality of 17 per cent.
The cases were distributed in 83 streets; generally
only single cases occurred in the household affected; but
in one tenement house 5 successive cases occurred; in a beer
house, the upper part of which was let out as tenements there
were also 5 cases; in both instances there was concealment
for a few days of the malady.
Class of Sufferers.—The sufferers were for the most
part working people; a large number were derived from
lodging houses. Only 12 persons were affected who might be
considered to be in comfortable circumstances.
The epidemic showed, indeed, more clearly than other
epidemics, the great part played by the tramp and by the
denizens of Common Lodging Houses in the dissemination