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
Ealing 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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The incidence of the actual cases of diphtheria in the various age-groups was as follows :—
| 1-5 yrs. | 5-10 yrs. | 10-15 yrs. | 15-25 yrs. | 25-45 yrs. | Over 45 yrs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 18 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
The following complications were observed :—
| Tonsillitis | 4 |
| Rhinitis | 1 |
| Myocardial degeneration | |
| Cardiac irregularity | 3 |
| Palatal paresis | |
| Pharyngeal paralysis | 1 |
| Ocular paresis | 1 |
| Cardiac failure | 3 |
Laryngeal Diphtheria.—Four cases were admitted with a
diagnosis of laryngeal diphtheria, but only one was found to be
actually suffering from this disease. This case recovered without
operation. The other three cases were ultimately diagnosed as
measles, bronchitis, and broncho-pneumonia respectively.
Deaths.—There were three deaths from diphtheria, two cliildren
and one adult. All were admitted late in the disease, one having
been treated by the doctor for tonsillitis for nine days before being
seat into hospital. In the other two cases a doctor had not been
sent for until the disease was well advanced. This gives a mortality
rate of 5.2 per cent.
Duration of Stay.—The average duration of stay in hospital
for cases of diphtheria was 46.5 days.
There were no "return" cases.
During the period beginning the 19th September and ending
the 24tli December, although there were several suspected cases,
no cases of actual diphtheria were admitted to the hospital.
Measles.—During the year twenty-three cases of measles
were treated and discharged. There was one death, a child of 4
years who was suffering from lobar pneumonia on admission.