Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Giles District]
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matic order, the number of which was 217 in 1873, and 231 in
1874.
The number in 1875 is about the lowest hitherto recorded against
the deaths from these causes in St. Giles District.
Small-Pox.—No deaths from Small-pox occurred in our District
during the year.
Not only St. Giles District, but the whole of the Metropolis was
remarkably free from this disease in 1875.
The only signs of it in our District, which came to my knowledge,
were 2 cases belonging respectively to St. George, Bloomsbury, and
St. Giles North. Both patients suffered from a mild type of the
disease; they were removed to the hospital of the Asylum Board
at Stockwell, and both recovered.
Our immunity from Small-pox is only in common with that of
the whole Metropolis, and is doubtless the result of the great care of
Boards of Guardians in enforcing Vaccination.
Measles.—Only 15 deaths from Measles occurred, the average
number for 10 years being 26.0. The number in 1874 was 31.0.
Scarlet Fever.—The Registrar-General states "that the great
increase of Scarlet Fever forms the special feature in the returns for
the past year."
Scarlet Fever was epidemic not only in the Metropolis, but over
nearly the whole kingdom, but not with equal intensity.
The District has suffered less than some other districts, yet the
mortality was heavy, for 48 persons died in the District, being
exactly the same number as in 1874, while the average number for
ten years was 42.4.
The fatality of this disease fluctuates very much in different
years, as will be seen more clearly on referring to Table No. 13,
ex. gr. in 1870, 103 died from it, and in 1872, only 5.
Epidemic Scarlet Fever might often be arrested, if the public
would endeavour to carry out the principles laid down for the purpose
by competent medical authority ; but both the middle and
lower classes of society have yet to learn the importance of fresh air,
isolation, and cleanliness, in checking the spread of the disease.
It is much to be regretted that children from infected houses
should be sent to school, and some means should be adopted to ascertain
the existence of disease, in order to the exclusion of such
children.
Diphtheria.—The District shows a clean bill of health for this
disease.
Croup.—2 males and 2 females, together 4, being but half the
number who died in 1874.
Whooping Cough.—Is to be credited with 9 deaths for St.
George, Bloomsbury, 19 for St. Giles South, and 21 for St. Giles
North, together 49, against 27 for the previous year.
This disease, like Scarlet Fever, has been epidemic during a great
portion of the year, and the District, in common with the Metropolis,
has suffered beyond the average. The Begistrar-General points out