London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ealing 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
This page requires JavaScript
The seven deaths from diphtheria are recorded as follows:—
| No. | Day of Disease when Admitted | Days in Hospital before Death | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5 | 10 | Severe faucial diphtheria. |
| 2. | 5 | 3 | Severe faucial diphtheria, haemorrhagic. |
| 3. | 3 | 6 | Haemorrhagic diphtheria. |
| 4. | 5 | 1 | Severe faucial diphtheria. |
| 5. | 2 | 15 | Severe faucial diphtheria. |
| 6. | 3 | 20 | Severe faucial diphtheria. |
| 7. | 3 | 9 | Severe faucial diphtheria. |
In four of the above cases there was delay in sending for a
doctor until the disease was far advanced. In each of the remaining
three a doctor had seen the patient at least two days before admission
to hospital but had failed to recognize the case as one of diphtheria.
In two of these cases a swab was taken to confirm the diagnosis before
sending the patient into hospital, but in the third case the disease
was not suspected and no swab was taken. None of the above
children was given diphtheria antitoxin before admission. When
the patient's chance of recovery is so obviously dependent upon the
early administration of the specific antiserum, it cannot be too
greatly emphasised that the best policy is to treat each suspected case
as one of diphtheria until it is proved otherwise.
Cross- Infection.—Three cases of diphtheria were cross-infected
with chickenpox and three cases with scarlet fever.
There were no return cases.
The average duration of stay in hospital for diphtheria cases
was 52.7 days.