London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Woolwich 1905
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
This page requires JavaScript
43
63. There were seven deaths, giving a death rate of 0.06,
which is slightly higher than in the two preceding years, but
much below the average of the past ten years. The death rate
in London was 0.05, and in the 76 great towns 0.08.
64. The following are the cases occurring in each parish during the past six years. The number of cases has progressively diminished in Woolwich Parish, and it is satisfactory to be able to report for the first time that Eltham was exceptionally free from Enteric.
| 1900. | 1901. | 1902. | 1903. | 1904. | 1905. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woolwich | 23 | 21 | 17 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Plumstead | 39 | 32 | 24 | 22 | 9 | 19 |
| Eltham | 4 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
65. Source of infection.—Three cases apparently contracted the
infection while training at the Canterbury Barracks, and one
while at Worcester Barracks; and one each brought the infection
from Liverpool, and Ash in East Kent. In one the disease was
attributed to oysters from Emsworth; in one, to cockles eaten at
Southend; one, periwinkles; and one, mussels; one, lobster; one,
watercress from Littlehampton; and one, watercress, source
unknown. The case whose infection was attributable to lobster
had eaten the body of a lobster about a fortnight before the
illness began. It is possible the lobster may have been contaminated
at the fish shop after boiling, as has been suggested when
infection has been traced to fried fish.
66. Bacteriological diagnosis.—Twenty samples of blood were
sent to the Lister Institute to be examined for Widal's reaction.
A positive result was obtained in nine. One of these was found
aftewards to be a case of Phthysis; she had, however, had Enteric
Fever some ten years previously.