View report page

Scarlet Fever.
There was a general increase in the number of cases of this
disease, as compared with 1933. From about the end of August
the cases gradually increased, until at the end of October the
highest figure ever recorded for one week, namely 66, was reached.
Many of the 1,544 cases notified were unable to be nursed
at home, on account of overcrowding conditions and for many
other reasons, and it was impossible for Plaistow Hospital to cope
with the demand for admission.
It was essential that some arrangements should be made for
hospital treatment, and the Council were able to negotiate with the
London Fever Hospital to admit cases from West Ham, and during
the year 233 cases were admitted.
The deaths from Scarlet Fever were 16.
Diphtheria.
The number of cases of this disease notified during the year
was well in excess of the figure for 1933. Facilities were available
for immunization against Diphtheria, free of charge (see pages
111-112).
Births.
The number of births registered in the Borough during the
year was 5.453 (2,812 males and 2,641 females) ; but of this total
1,429 were children of non-residents, who came to be confined in
one or other of the Maternity Hospitals, or were confined while
visiting relatives or friends ; while 309 West Ham women were
confined outside the Borough. Suitable adjustment makes the net
West Ham Birth 4,333 (2,236 males and 2,097 females) ; 108 of
these (49 males and 59 females) were illegitimate.
Calculated on the Registrar General's estimate of the population
of the Borough at the middle of 1934, viz. : 276,150, the Rate
for the year was 15.6.
The Birth Rate for the Great Towns was 14.7.
Deaths.
I he number of deaths registered in the Borough during the
year was 1,949, but of these 203 occurred in persons not belonging
to the Borough, while the deaths of 1,473 residents of West Ham
occurred in various institutions and districts elsewhere, making
the total net deaths attributable to the Borough number 3,219, of
which 1,710 were males and 1,509 females.
1 he allocation of these deaths to their different causes will be
found later in this report, but the grand total from all causes gives
an annual Death Rate of 11.6 per 1,000 of the estimated population.
I he Death Rate for the Great Towns was 11.8.
25