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

Shoreditch 1929

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]

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Table: Smallpox.

Smallpox.

Ward.Notifications,Fatal Cases.Rates per 1,000 Population.Case Mortality Deaths per 100 cases.
M.F.Total.M.F.Total.AttackDeath.
Moorfields...11.........0.2......
Church11819.........1.0......
Hoxton271643.........2.6......
Wenlock393776.........5.2......
Whitmore332053.........2.9......
Kingsland11819.........1.7......
Haggerston5712.........1.1......
Acton15823.........2.0......
Total141105246.........2.3......
London......1905......60.430.000.31

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The cases certified numbered 246, of which 14, or 5.7 per cent., were subsequently
not regarded as smallpox. The actual number of cases was accordingly 232, which
gives an attack rate of 2.3 per 1,000 inhabitants.

Table: The following table shows the prevalence of smallpox in the country during recent years, the invasion of London in 1928 and of Shoreditch in 1929:—

The following table shows the prevalence of smallpox in the country during recent years, the invasion of London in 1928 and of Shoreditch in 1929:—

England & Wales.London.Shoreditch
191912928Nil.
192020622,,
19211872,,
192266969,,
19232,46216,,
19243,7924,,
19255,35515,,
192610,2055,,
192714,7695,,
192812,4332963
192910,9751,905246

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Figures already to hand show that the number of cases notified in London and
Shoreditch during 1930 will, in their turn, be greater than in 1929.
As it will be necessary to refer in detail to the preventive measures taken, a word
or two regarding the manner in which the disease is spread may not be out of place.
Every case arises from a previous case, either through close association or, more
rarely, from contact with articles, such as soiled linen, which convey the infection.