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
Hackney 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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38
The attack rate of diphtheria was 2.3 per 1,000 inhabitants,
compared with 104 for England and Wales.
There were 517 cases removed to hospital during the year,
This is equal to 97 per cent, of the cases notified.
The following table shows the distribution of diphtheria in the respective Sub-districts of the Borough:—
| Sub-Districts. | North. | Central. | South-west. | South-east |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of cases of Diphtheria and Membranous Croup | 126 | 157 | 151 | 94 |
| Attack-rate per 1,000 living | 21 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
From the above it will be seen that diphtheria was most
acute in the Central Sub-District.
The deaths from diphtheria and membranous croup during
the year numbered 29. This mortality is equal to a death-rate of
5 4 per cent, attacked and 0'12 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared
with a death-rate of 3'0 per cent, attacked, and 0'12 per
1,000 inhabitants for the previous year.
»
The death-rate from diphtheria for London during the same
period is 013 per 1,000 inhabitants.
During the year 724 swabbings ifrom throats of persons
suspected to be suffering from diphtheria were bacteriologicall;
examined, of which 104 gave positive results, 602 negative
results, and 18 were returned as doubtful.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin.—In accordance with the Anti-toxir.
Order of 1910, a supply of diphtheria anti-itoxin was provided