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
Acton 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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57
ISOLATION HOSPITAL.
The Acton Council Isolation Hospital contains 88 beds
normally. During 1932 we had to increase these to an emergency
member of 122 in order to cope with the epidemics of Scarlet Fever
and Diphtheria.
758 cases were admitted during the year compared with 262
cases during 1931.
On January 1st, 1932 there were 29 cases in the hospital
and on January 1st, 1933 there were 107.
The following is a list of the cases admitted for the different desease.
| Scarlet Fever. | Diphtheria. | Measles. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 382 | 134 | 81 | |
| Wembley | 77 | 25 | 7 |
| Kagsbury | 28 | 21 | 3 |
| Total | 758 |
The 39 deaths were distributed as follows: —
| Scarlet Fever. | Diphtheria. | Measles. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 20 | 9 | |
| Wembley | — | 4 | 1 |
| Kagsbury | — | — | — |
A discussion on the deaths from Scarlet Fever will be found
the report on that disease.
A report on the Diphtheria epidemic is given above but the
at deaths in hospital need some explanation.
While admitting that the type of Diphtheria was in many
instances a most virulent one, yet several apparently hopeless cases
which were sent in at an early stage of the disease recovered. We
must however, emphasise the fact that many of the cases were so
ill on admission to hospital that all our efforts were almost
bound to be in vain.
9 of the patients who died were admitted on or after the
at day of disease while 4 were admitted on the 3rd day.