London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Woolwich 1917

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

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49. The temperature of the sunnier quarter was above the
average and the rainfall below. In spite of these unfavourable
conditions the number of deaths and notified oases was below
the average.

ZYMOTIC MTERITTS AND METEOROLOGY

(Summer Quarter)

191519161917
Number of cases notified14280101
Number of deaths121412
Mean temperature of air60.760.961.7
Mean temperature 3 feet below ground60.659.962.6
Mean humidity808381
Number of days on which rain fell354247
Rainfall in inches8.56.03.4
Number of hours bright sunshine541-580

ERYSIPELAS.
50. There were 79 cases of erysipelas notified, compared
with 107, 138, and 95 in the three preceding years. There were
4 deaths, one under one year, one 10-15, and two over 65. The
case-rate was 0.54 the lowest recorded, and the death rate, 0.03
below the average. The London case-rate was 0.58 and the
London death-rate 0.02.
CEREBR0-SPINAL MENINGITIS.
51. 46 cases occurred in 1915, 17 in 1916, and 17 in 1917.
In addition 5 cases of post basic meningitis were notified.
There were 5 deatts, 2 oi which were under two years of age.
The case rate was 0.12 in Woolwich, compared with 0.09 in
London.
Seven cases occurred in Woolwich Parish and four in
Eltham. Eight of the cases were soldiers in the garrison and
six were under 15 years of age. The large majority of the
cases occurred in the first three months of the year.
In none of the civilian cases did more than one case
occur in the same house. The cases of post basio meningitis
all occurred in West Plumstead. Notified cases (with one or
two exceptions) were immediately removed to the fever hospital.
Contacts in close association were bacteriologically examined
18