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16
The act is to remain in force for five years. Its results will be awaited with
interest not unmixed with anxiety by those concerned in public health administration.
SCARLET FEVER (Scarlatina).
The number of cases certified was 426, including 3 which were found subsequently
not to be suffering from the disease. The numbers of cases in previous
years were 628 in 1897, 697 in 1896, 592 in 1895, 487 in 1894, and 1,007 in 1893.
The deaths numbered 20 as compared with 31 in 1897, 38 in 1896, 29 in 1895, 26 in
1894, and 38 in 1893. The death-rate due to scarlet fever was 0.16 per 1,000
inhabitants for the whole parish. The highest rate in Shoreditch was in the Haggerston
Registration District, and the lowest in Shoreditch South. People were attacked in
Shoreditch with scarlet fever at the rate of 3.4 per 1,000 inhabitants, the attack-rates
being 3.5 in Shoreditch South. 4.2 in Hoxton New Town, 3.6 in Hoxton Old Town,
and 2.9 in Haggerston.
The fatality of the disease was slightly lower than that of 1897, 4.7 per cent, of
the cases certified terminating fatally, as compared with 4.9 in 1897 and 5.4 in 1896.
Of 181 children under five years of age who suffered from the disease, 14 or 7.7 per
cent, died, as compared with 11 percent, in 1897, and 12 per cent, in 1896. Amongst
those over the age of five years who were attacked, the mortality was 2.5 per cent.,
as compared with 1 per cent, last year. All those who died from scarlet fever
during 1898 were under fifteen years of age.
In the subjoined table is set out the distribution of the cases certified, and the
fatalities amongst males and females in the parish, and its four sub-districts :—

From the foregoing it will be seen that the cases were more numerous and the
mortality greater amongst females than amongst males.