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
Wood Green 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wood Green]
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Rainfall and Diphtheria.
| Year. | Rainfall. Ins. | Cases of Diphtheria notified. |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 12.94 | 143 |
| 1922 | 22.19 | 44 |
| 1923 | 23.23 | 26 |
| 1924 | 30.89 | 24 |
| 1925 | 21.71 | 54 |
According to these figures it appears that Diphtheria was
intimately connected with deficient rainfall, as many deaths from
this cause (eight) occurring in 1921 as during the whole of the
other four years. 1921 was a particularly dry year. There is no
doubt that a wet summer, owing to the increased cleansing of the
air by the rain, oftentimes prevents much infectious disease.