London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bethnal Green 1868
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
This page requires JavaScript
13
a comparison with former years, the numbers during the past four years have greatly
exceeded those of previous years : thus, in 1853, the number was 30; in 1859, 56; and
since 1864 it has exceeded 100.
Vaccination.—The number of Children Vaccinated has been 45, and are included in
my Summary of Vaccinations.
Fever Cases.—10 males and 2 females have been sent to the Fever Hospital, only 1
of the above arising in the Tfouse ; in the others Fever developed itself from twenty-four
to forty-eight hours after admission. In most of them they were traced as coming from
fever localities.
Small Pox.—1 case was sent to the Small Pox Hospital, and 1 treated in the Receiving
"Ward of the Workhouse, the Hospital being full.
Tramps.—22 Tramps have been admitted to the Infirmary from the Casual Wards,
suffering principally from Debility. One was found to be insane, and removed to an
asylum; the others (with the exception of one, a Negro, now in the Infirmary) have
been discharged cured.
Inquests.—18 Inquests have been held during the year, principally upon Aged
Inmates; the verdict in each case being, "Death from natural causes."
The Diseases for which the 2082 patients were admitted to the Infirmary will be seen as follows:—
| Infirmities of Age | 166 | Febricula | 40 | Furunculus | 4 |
| Asthma | 82 | Marasmus | 20 | Diseased Hip | 2 |
| Bronchitis | 32 | Variola | 2 | Scald | 1 |
| Phthisis | 123 | Varicella | 10 | Scirrhus | 1 |
| Rheumatism, Acute | 59 | Premature Birth | 4 | Thrush | 3 |
| Ditto Chronic | 89 | Debility | 193 | Hysteria | 1 |
| Ulcers, Chronic | 60 | Ophthalmia | 102 | Rubeola | 5 |
| Skin Diseases | 315 | Scrofula | 6 | Dentition | 12 |
| Abscess | 35 | Jaundice | 4 | Urticaria | 4 |
| Erysipelas | 25 | Hydrocele | 3 | Epistaxis | 2 |
| Paralysis | 16 | Delirium Tremens | 6 | Ovarian Dropsy | 1 |
| Contusions | 50 | Dislocation(Shoulder) | 1 | Tetanus | 1 |
| Syphilis | 48 | Fistula | 3 | Lead Poisoning | 4 |
| Catarrh | 110 | Concussion of Brain | 1 | Mercurial ditto | 2 |
| Diseased Heart | 24 | Hœmorrhoids | 6 | Nitric Acid ditto | 1 |
| Renal Dropsy | 7 | Stricture | 8 | Colic | 10 |
| Carbuncle | Prolapsus Uteri | 7 | Scarlatina | 1 | |
| Cynanche | 10 | Pleurisy | 6 | Destitution | 5 |
| Ascites | Extravas. of Urine | 2 | Ague | 4 | |
| Diarrhoea | 120 | Metritis | 1 | Scalp Wound | 2 |
| Pneumonia | 16 | Fractured Ribs | 4 | Incised Wounds | 4 |
| Pertussis | 15 | Spasms | 6 | Fractured Patella | 1 |
| Apoplexy | 10 | Febris | 12 | Dying on Admission. | 2 |
| Epilepsy | 16 | Chorea | 2 | Accouchements | 109 |
| Hernia | 15 |
SUMMARY FOR THREE YEARS.—In the Infirmary.
1st
Jan.
Admitted
during the
year.
Total.
Discharged
Cured or
Relieved.
Sent to
Insane
Ward.
To
Fever
Hospital.
To Small
Pox
Hospital.
Died.
Remained.
1866
425
2215
2640
1801
—
18
7
336*
478
1867
478
1966
2444
1629
14
10
2
265
524
1868
524
2082
2606
1846
12
12
1
267
468
1869
468
* Cholera 44.
Births.
Year.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Legitimate.
Illegitimate.
1866
39
82
33
49
1867
64
59
123
52
71
1868
59
50
109
47
62
JAMES SMART,
Medical Officer.