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 1910
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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47
rate in London was 0.26. Out of 10 cases notified, 5 went
to hospital.
56. There was only 1 death, giving a death-rate of 0:01,
which is again the lowest death-rate recorded. The deathrate
in London was 0.04. At the present rate of diminution
Enteric Fever will have disappeared in three years.
57. The following are the cases notified in each parish during the past six years:—
| Average, | 1901-5 | 1906 | 1907 | 1908 | 1909 | 1910 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woolwich | 12.6 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 3 |
| Plumstead | 21.2 | 21 | 16 | 12 | W. 3 | 5 |
| E. 0 | 0 | |||||
| Elthani | 8.6 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
58. In three cases the disease was attributed to oysters,
one was infected in a Yorkshire village, and one at Trouville
on the coast of France. One may have caught the
disease at a sewage farm in Essex.
It has been found that some cases of Enteric continue to
be infectious for many months after they are apparently
well, and occasionally prove sources of infection to others.
The Local Government Board are making an enquiry as to
the duration of infectiousness of the urine and fæces of the
Enteric patients discharged from the Fever Hospitals and by
request of the Board, I am assisting in this enquiry. All
the Enteric cases discharged from the fever hospital in
1910 have been visited, and samples of urine and faces
taken from those who were willing to supply them. Six
persons were sampled each month for six months. Only
one positive result was obtained and was followed by two
negative ones.