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Ward, and least in Moorfields, the death-rates verying from 0.17 per 1,000, the rate
in Moorfields to 1.07 the rate in Hoxton. The death-rate for the whole Borough
was 0.52, as compared with 0.69 in 1904, 0.85 in 1903, 0.72 in 1902, 0.64 in 1901,
0.63 in 1900, 0.69 in 1899, 0.83 in 1898, and 0.91 in 1897. The death-rate due to
measles during 1905 was therefore lower than usual. The deaths were most numerous
in the Borough during the first five months of the year, especially during the five weeks
from the end of January to the end of February. Ten deaths only were registered
during the last six months of the year. During the nine weeks from the fourth week
in September to the third week in November no deaths from this disease were
registered.
The deaths from measles in the metropolis during 1905 numbered 1,715, the
death-rate being 0.36 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared w.ith 0.49 for 1904.
The number of houses brought to the notice of the Health Department as being
infected through measles having occurred therein was 470, as compared with 454 for
1904. In the great majority of these the information was supplied by the various
school authorities within the Borough. On investigation it was found that in 112
instances the information as to the complaint being measles was erroneous. According
to the statements made by the patients' friends, the disease was something other than
measles. In all the houses where it was ascertained that measles existed, measures as
to disinfection were taken, and with few exceptions they were carried out by the Sanitary
Authority. Altogether some 371 infected rooms were dealt with and the usual
steps were taken with bedding and textile articles which had been exposed to infection.
WHOOPING COUGH.
This disease was given as the cause of 85 deaths, 45 of males and 40 of females.
With one exception they were all amongst children under five years of age. The
death-rate was 0.73 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared with 0.51 in 1904, 0.35 in
1903, 0.63 in 1902, and 0.49 in 1901. The rate was therefore considerably above the
average for the past few years. A comparison of the death-rates in the eight wards of
the Borough is shown in Table VII. (Appendix). There were no deaths from whooping
cough in Kingsland Ward. As to the remainder, the death-rate was highest in
Church and lowest in Acton Ward. The deaths were most numerous in the Borough
during the months of February, March, April and May. The heaviest mortality
during any one month was in April, when 19 deaths were attributed to this disease.
The deaths from whooping cough in the metropolis during 1905 numbered 1,507,
the death-rate being 0.32, which is about the same as that for 1904.
INFLUENZA.
Influenza was given as the cause of 11 deaths, as compared with 14 in 1904, 19
in 1903, 14 in 1902, 16 on 1901, 52 in 1900, and 35 in 1899. The figures for previous
years are contained in my annual report for 1901. No deaths from this disease
were registered in Shoreditch during the months of January, April, July, August, September
and December. The deaths were most numerous during the month of
February.