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
Leyton 1898
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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14
It is, therefore, to be fervently hoped that we are not going to
wait for any such epidemic to show us the value of compulsory vaccination,
and the obligation which rests on us all to obtain the speedy
repeal of this pernicious Conscience Clause in the new Vaccination
Act.
SCARLET FEVER.
There has been a very marked decrease in this disease since last
year, the number of cases notified being less by 159.
The mortality has also diminished from 3.3% to 1.4%, showing
that the disease has been of a milder type.
Table XIV.—Notified Cases of Scarlet Fever during the past Five Years, with the percentage of mortality.
| Cases notified | No. of Deaths | Death rate per cent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1894 | — | 11 | - |
| 1895 | 507 | 12 | 2.3 |
| 1896 | 501 | 6 | 1.1 |
| 1897 | 510 | 17 | 3.3 |
| 1898 | 351 | 5 | 1.4 |
On referring to Table X. we see that the disease appears to have
been more prevalent during the first half of the year, when over
61% of the total cases were notified.
In August and November the amount of disease was extremely
little.
It will be seen from Table XI. that over 39% occurred in the
Cann Hall Ward, which is about the proportion that this Ward was
responsible for in 1896.
DIPHTHERIA.
It will be seen from Table XII. that six more cases have been
notified this year as compared with last.
The deaths are more in proportion, and consequently the mortality
per cent, is increased.
The Leyton Ward seems to have been more affected than the other
Wards, and over 35% were notified from there.
Of the 28 deaths, 15 were under five years of age.