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 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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The following table shows the distribution of diphtheria in the Electoral Wards and Registration Sub-districts of the Borough
| Area. | No. of cases. | Attack-rate per 1,000 living. |
|---|---|---|
| The Borough | 356 | 1.6 |
| Wards:— | ||
| Stamford Hill | 49 | 1.4 |
| West Hackney | 16 | 0.8 |
| Kingsland | 42 | 1.9 |
| Downs | 27 | 1.5 |
| Clapton Park | 101 | 2.4 |
| Homerton | 62 | 1.8 |
| South Hackney | 32 | 1.4 |
| Hackney | 27 | 1.0 |
| Registration Sub-districts:— | ||
| North | 75 | 1.3 |
| Central | 92 | 1.7 |
| South-West | 89 | 1.6 |
| South-East | 100 | 1.8 |
It will be seen that diphtheria was most prevalent in the
Clapton Park Ward of the Borough.
The following table shows the housing conditions of those persons under 15 years of age who were attacked by diphtheria (luring the year:—
| Cases removed to Hospital. | Cases nursed at Home. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 person per room. | 1 to 2 persons per room. | More than 2 persons per room. | Less than 1 person per room. | 1 to 2 persons per room. | More than 2 persons per room. |
| 32 | 201 | 26 | 1 | 1 | .. |
The deaths from diphtheria during the year numbered 15. This
mortality is equal to a death-rate of 4.2 per cent. attacked and
0.06 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared with a death-rate of 5.1 per
cent. attacked and 0.16 per 1,000 inhabitants for the previous year.
The death-rate from diphtheria for London during the same period
is 0.06 per 1,000 inhabitants.
During the year 1,184 swabbings from throats of persons
suspected to be suffering from diphtheria were bacteriologically
examined, of which 249 gave positive results, and 1,565 negative
results.