London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Woolwich 1902

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

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36
65. It appears then that there has been a marked decrease
in the death rate from Tuberculosis of all forms and in all
three parishes. The improvement is especially marked in the
River Ward, where, iodeed, it was most needed. Eltham Ward
again had the lowest death rate, Herbert and St. Nicholas
Wards having the next lowest. River Ward South and St.
George's again had the highest rates, River Ward North having
the lowest rate of the Woolwich Wards.

66. The following table shows the death rate from Phthisis in recent years in Woolwich and Plumstead Parishes :—

18951896189718981899190019011902
Woolwich2.11.92.02.42.42.521.95
Plumstead1.641.31.51.271.451.501.511.30

The rate for each parish in 1902 appears to be the lowest
recorded with one exception. It is satisfactory to see that the
efforts made in recent years to deal with this disease by
instruction, disinfection, and especially during the past year by
bacteriological diagnosis and voluntary notification are bearing
fruit. I have no doubt that the improvement would have been
more marked and appeared earlier if it had not been for the
increase of intemperance in recent years. As to this, more is
said under Alcoholism (paragraphs 83 and 84).
67. Notifications. Voluntary notification was in force
during the whole of the year, having commenced at the end of
1901.
189 cases were notified, compared with 119 in 1901 (35 of
which only were paid for).
The largest number of notifications came from River and
Glyndon Wards, and the smallest number from the Central
and Eltham.