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
West Ham 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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The following table shows the age incidence and case rate per 1,000 populatio n of scarlet Fever, Measles and Whooping Cough.
| Age | Scarlet Fever | Measles | Whooping Cough | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | |
| Under 1 year | - | - | 15 | 16 | 19 | |
| 1-4 years | 54 | 49 | 70 | 102 | 60 | 55 |
| 5-9 years | 105 | 107 | 107 | 96 | 43 | 40 |
| 10 - 14 years | 22 | 26 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Over 15 years | 5 | 6 | - | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 186 | 188 | 190 | 221 | 125 | 117 | |
| 374 | 411 | 242 | ||||
| Case Rate/1,000 population | 2.27 | 2.49 | 1.47 | |||
DIPHTHERIA, There were no cases of this disease during the year.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION, There were five cases of this disease (4 females and 1 male).
The age incidence was 2 under 1 year, 2 aged 1 year and 1 aged 7 years. There were no deaths.
ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS. Three confirmed cases were reported during the year (2 paralytic
and 1 non-paralytic): this was a decrease of 13 on the previous year. In addition, 5 suspected
cases were investigated, but the diagnosis was not confirmed. All cases were admitted to hospital.
There was one death.
ERYSIPELAS. Eleven cases of this disease were notified, a decrease of 7 on the previous year. The age and sex incidence was as follows:-
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 0-14 years | - | 1 |
| 15 - 44 years | 2 | 2 |
| 45 - 64 years | 2 | 3 |
| 65 years and over | - | 1 |
| TOTAL | 4 | 7 |
The occupational incidence for males included a window cleaner, chauffeur station foreman,
labourer; for females, an exchange telegraph operator, a schoolchild and housewives. The seasonal
incidence was as below:-
January/March 4 cases
April/June 3 cases
July/September 2 cases
October/December 2 cases
PUERPERAL PYREXIA. Three cases were notified during the year. Two cases occurred in
maternity hospitals and 1 case at home.
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