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
Woolwich 1906
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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33
diphtheria.
49. 387 cases of Diphtheria were notified, compared with 216,
233, 186,163, and 273 in the five preceding years. The case rate
(number of cases per 1000 population) corrected for mistaken
diagnosis, of which 31 were noted, was 2.80; this is the highest
rate since 1900.
50. There were 22 deaths, compared with 13, 29, and 18 in
the three preceding years. The death rate was 0.17; the rate
was lower in 1901, 1903, and 1905, but higher in all the
remaining years since 1891 (see Table Y.) The London deathrate
was lower still, viz.: 0T4. The death-rate in the 76 great
towns was 0.19.
and 81 in Eltham. The following Table shows the average case-rate in each parish (not corrected for mistaken diagnosis) in the past five years compared with London and the Borough :—
| Average 1905. | 1906. | |
|---|---|---|
| The Borough | 1.71 | 2.80. |
| Woolwich Parish | 1.63 | 3.43. |
| Plumstead | 1.87 | 2.26. |
| Eltham | 1.62 | 6.70. |
| London | 1.90 | 1.70. |
It is seen that in London there was a decline in Diphtheria
Notifications. In Woolwich there has been a large increase.
52. 260 cases, or 67 per cent, of notifications, were removed to
hospital. Certificates of efficient home-isolation were given in 21
cases (8 in 1905). The case mortality was only 5.7 per cent, compared
with 8'8, 9.9, 7 0, 17.8, and 6'6 in the five preceding years,
and with 8'6 in London. This is the lowest case mortality recorded
in the Borough. 16 of the 22 deaths occurred in the Fever
Hospitals. The average duration of stay in hospital was 6'6
weeks.
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