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 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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27
174 cases were notified by school-teachers, compared with
598 in 1907. 18 of the deaths occurred in the first quarter
of the year.
There can be little doubt that the mortality from this disease
might be diminished by instructing parents, through leaflets
and health-visitors, as to the hygienic treatment of the cases
that occur. To do so, however, would require an increase
of staff.
The mortality of the disease in 1907 and 1908 was nine per
cent. of notified cases, more than double the mortality of
Measles, and several times greater than that of Scarlet Fever.
Scarlet fever.
36. There were 596 cases of Scarlet Fever notified, equivalent
to a rate of 4.67 per thousand population, compared with
7.91 in 1907. Except for 1908, this rate is the highest since
1899.
37. The following table shows the case-rates of Scarlet Fever in the Borough and each Parish during 1901.5 and the past three years, compared with London:—
| Average, 1901-5. | 1906. | 1907. | 1908. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borough | 3.15 | 4.15 | 7.91 | 4.67 |
| Woolwich Parish | 2.99 | 3.83 | 6.10 | 3.85 |
| Plumstead | 3.24 | 4.22 | 8.56 | 5.22 |
| Eltham | 3.21 | 4.71 | 9.65 | 3.94 |
| London County | 3.57 | 4.35 | 5.46 | 4.52 |
38. Table III. gives the age distribution, the number in
each Ward, and the number removed to hospital. River, St.
Nicholas, St. Margaret's, and Central Wards, were most affected.