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
Croydon 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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Table shewing the age groups and sex of Scarlet Fever Serum cases:—
| Age. | Males. | Females. | Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1—2 | 1 | - | 1 |
| 2—3 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 3—4 | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| 4—5 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 5—10 | 35 | 49 | 84 |
| 10—15 | 6 | 11 | 17 |
| 15—20 | 1 | 11 | 12 |
| 20—30 | 9 | 12 | 21 |
| 30 and over | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| Totals | 64 | 106 | 170 |
Diphtheria.
462 cases were admitted with a diagnosis of diphtheria, a
decrease of 8 cases on 1929. Of these 13 proved not to be diphtheria,
and 98 cases were positive swabs, without clinical symptoms,
leaving 351 cases of true diphtheria.
The negative cases were:—
5 cases of follicular tonsilitis.
1 case of simple laryngitis.
1 case of measles.
2 cases of coryza.
4 cases sent for observation in whom the diagnosis was
not confirmed.
There were 47 cases admitted from outside the Borough, a
decrease of 12; one death occurred amongst these.
Of the 351 cases, 10 had the larynx implicated, and tracheotomy
was necessary in four instances; one died owing to progressive
heart failure 4 days after operation.
The following complications and sequelae arose amongst diphtheria
patients:—
Adenitis 12 Albuminuria 6
Otorrhœa 10 Secondary sore throat 5
Rhinorrhœa 14 Laryngeal involvement 10
Paralysis— Heart Failure 12
Palatal 12 Irregularity 3
Diaphragmatic 1 Tachycardia 1
Ocular 6 Bradycardia 1
Facial 2