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Scarlet Fever.
There was a considerable decrease in the number of cases
of Scarlet Fever as compared with 1934, there being a drop of
nearly 500 cases. In the earlier and latter part of the year the
disease was more prevalent, but seemed to diminish somewhat
about the middle of the year.
Of the 1,057 cases notified, it was not possible to provide
hospital accommodation for all cases requiring" hospital treatment
at Plaistow Hospital. In view of this position it was considered
expedient to make other arrangements, and as in 1934, the London
Fever Hospital was able to admit cases from West Ham, thus
relieving the pressure on the Council's Isolation Hospital. Ninetysix
cases were admitted during the year.
The deaths from Scarlet Fever were six.
Diphtheria.
This disease shewed a very slight increase over the figures
for the previous year. On account of the demand for accommodation
at the Plaistow Hospital it was found necessary to send
27 cases of Diphtheria to the London Fever Hospital.
Nearly 300 posters offering facilities for immunization against
this disease were posted on various public buildings, in hospitals,
clinics, nursery schools, and other appropriate places. (See also
pages 104 and 113).
Births.
The number of births registered in the Borough during the
year was 5,400 (2,718 males and 2,682 females) ; but of this
total 1,540 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 340 West Ham women
were confined outside the Borough. Suitable adjustment makes
the net West Ham Births 4,200 (2,096 males and 2,104 females) ;
112 of these (51 males and 61 females) were illegitimate.
Calculated on the Registrar General's estimate of the population
of the Borough at the middle of 1935, viz. : 270,700, the
rate for the year was 15.5.
The Birth Rate for the Great Towns was 14.8.
Deaths.
The number of deaths registered in the Borough during the
year was .1,696, but of these 218 occurred in persons not belonging
to the Borough, while the deaths of 1,436 residents of West Ham
occurred in various institutions and districts elsewhere, making
the total net deaths attributable to the Borough number 2,914,
of which 1,551 were males and 1,363 females.
The 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 10.7 per 1,000 of the estimated
population. The Death Rate for the Great Towns was 11.8.
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