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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35
50. 124 cases were in Woolwich Parish, 216 in Plumstead,
and 22 in Eltham.
The following table shows the case-rate in
each parish (not corrected for mistaken diagnosis) in the past seven years, compared with London and the Borough:—
| 1901-5 | 1906 | 1907 | 1908 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Borough | 1.71 | 2.80 | 1.83 | 2.61 |
| Woolwich Parish | 1.63 | 3.43 | 1.85 | 3.18 |
| Plumstead ,, | 1.87 | 2.26 | 2.36 | 2.88 |
| Eltham ,, | 1.62 | 6.70 | 1.57 | 1.69 |
| Loudon | 1.90 | 1.70 | 1.85 | 1.64 |
51. 321 cases, or 89 per cent of notifications, were removed
to hospital, compared with 67 and 83 per cent in the two
preceding years. Certificates of efficient home-isolation were
given in 7 cases (8 in 1905, 21 in 1906, and 30 in 1907).
The case mortality was only 5.5 per cent, compared with 7.0,
17.8, 6.6, 5.7, and 6.3, in the five preceding years, and 9.1 in
London.
If the diphtheria death-rate which prevailed from 1896-1900
had been in operation last year, there would have been 60
deaths from this disease last year instead of 20 the actual
number.
52. Bacteriology is now systematically used to prevent
children attending London County Council schools in an
infectious state. After a case has been notified in a house,
no children from that house are allowed to return to school
until they have been certified free from infection after a
bacteriological examination. 341 home contacts were examined
by the Medical Officer of Health, and 25 carriers, or mild cases
of diphtheria, were found. The carriers were excluded from
school until the diphtheria bacillus had disappeared; the cases
shewing any symptoms were notified and isolated.
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