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
Friern Barnet 1903
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Friern Barnet]
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7
Asylum Fire.
The reason that the number of deaths in the Asylum is considerably
above the average, although the population has
decreased, is that si female inmates lost their lives in the disastrous
fire on January 27, The building known as the Annexe
was completely destroyed. The Middlesex Coroner held an
inquest on January 30, February 5 and February 12,
With regard to the above Building, no Plans were submitted
to your Council, the premises being exempt under the Bye-Laws.
The Zymotic Death-rate in previous years was—
| 1884 | 2.1 | 1890 | 1.6 | 1896 | 1.5 |
| 1885 | 1.2 | 1891 | 1.5 | 1897 | 2.5 |
| 1886 | 2.7 | 1892 | 1.0 | 1898 | 1.9 |
| 1887 | o.8 | 1893 | 2.3 | 1899 | 2.5 |
| 1888 | 1.5 | 1894 | 1.6 | 1900 | 0.5 |
| 1889 | 0.7 | 1895 | 0.9 | 1901 | 1.8 |
B irths (see Table 1).
These numbered 294, giving a Birth-rate of 31. 1, being an increase of i'6 per thousand.
| Measles. This disease was first added to the list of notifiable diseases in 1894, and the regulation was renewed in 1900. | ||||
| Although there were 150 cases during the year, and the deaths from this disease practically equalled those from all other zymotic diseases, yet it has been decided that notification shall no longer be in force. The average annual cost was £19, | ||||
| The following are the numbers for the last seven years. | ||||
| 1897 | 273 | 1900 | ... | 15 |
| 1898 | 142 | 1901 | ... | 292 |
| 1899 | 19 | 1902 | ... | 186 |
| 1903 | ... | 150 | ||
Whooping Cough
Was less prevalent than it was last year, causing only two
deaths—one in each of the North and South Wards.
Chicken Pox.
There were a few cases this year. I have, on two occasions,
suggested that this disease should be made notifiable when
Small Pox is at all prevalent and threatening our District.
Diphtheria.
There were 30 cases without a death. A decidedly larger
number than usual were removed to Hospital for treatment.