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 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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72
number of deaths. Measles (primary cases only) was compulsorily
notifiable from 1st January, 1916 to 31st December,
1919.
TABLE No. 30.
| Year. | Notifications. | Deaths. | Removed to Hospital. | Nursing Assistance provided | Death rate. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 396 | 21 | - | - | 0.16 |
| 1911 | 801 | 28 | — | — | 0.23 |
| 1912 | 775 | 30 | 22 | - | 0.24 |
| 1913 | 387 | 9 | 12 | — | 0.07 |
| 1914 | 967 | 25 | 3 | — | 0.19 |
| 1915 | 1179 | 45 | 5 | — | 0.33 |
| 1916 | 1590 | 23 | 10 | 236 | 0.17 |
| 1917 | 1710 | 31 | 45 | 139 | 0.21 |
| 1918 | 800 | 21 | 12 | 100 | 0.14 |
| 1919 | 1886 | 7 | 2 | 98 | 0.05 |
| 1920 | 1013 | 21 | 4 | 39 | 0.15 |
50. From Table 29, it will be seen that the death-rate from
this disease has always been higher than from scarlet fever,
and only in seven years has it been lower than that of diphtheria.
Furthermore it must be borne in mind that the aftermath
of measles is likely to be more serious than either that
of scarlet fever or diphtheria. Unfortunately, very little
provision has been made in London for institutional treatment
of measles owing to the demand which is made on infectious
diseases beds by scarlet fever and diphtheria. In my opinion,
it is unnecessary to provide further accommodation for the
treatment of measles, and consideration can, with advantage,
be given for an increase of the facilities for the provision
of measles beds by a method of selection with a corresponding
restriction of the number of scarlet fever beds. By
this means, the treatment of an individual suffering from
measles could be ensured without detriment to the health of
the community as a whole.