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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39
At the present rate of diminution Enteric Fever will have
practically disappeared in four years.
60. The following are the cases notified in each parish during the past six years:—
| Average, 1901-5. | 1906. | 1907. | 1908. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woolwich | 12.6 | 16 | 6 | 4 |
| Plumstead | 21.2 | 21 | 16 | 12 |
| Eltham | 8.6 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
61. In two cases the disease was attributed to oysters; in
one to mussels; and in two others to shell-fish. A master and
servant began the same day with the disease. No suspicious
food had been taken by both, but the servant often had shellfish,
and prepared her master's food. She probably infected
his food by preparing it with hands fresh from touching shellfish.
62. Bacteriological Diagnosis.—17 samples of blood were
sent to the Lister Institute to be examined for Widal's reaction.
A positive result was obtained in 4.
diarrhcea or zymotic enteritis.
63. The deaths from diarrhoea, dysentery, and epidemic or
zymotic enteritis, were 46. or 0.36 per 1,000 population, compared
with 0.36, 1.19, 0.52, 0.81 and 0.26, in the five preceding
years. The rate for London was 0.53.
There were, in addition, 11 deaths from enteritis and gastroenteritis,
making a total of 57 deaths, or 18 per 1,000 births,
due to diarrhœal diseases. 34 of the 57 were under one year
of age.