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
Paddington 1869
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington]
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8
The Epidemic of Scarlet Fever.
An epidemic of Scarlet Fever has been prevalent
more or less in all parts of the Metropolis during the
last 18 months; and it has scarcely yet subsided.
Paddington has severely suffered. In the details here
appended, I have shown its progress, and the distribution
of fatal cases, and as far as the limited space
at my command will permit I will endeavour to point
out some matters of interest relative to its propagation,
with the best methods of checking its ravages amongst
the community.
The large annual loss of life in this country from
Scarlet Fever, and its frequent occurrence as an
epidemic, are matters of sufficient public concern to
render any contribution acceptable to those who are
entrusted with the administration of laws relating to
public health.
The total mortality during the last 18 months is shown in the following table :—
| 1868. | 1869. | 1870. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| October . 8 | January 4 | July 6 | January 13 |
| February | August 15 | ||
| November 11 | March 4 | September 21 | February 7 |
| April 11 | October 13 | ||
| December 4 | May 7 | November 16 | March 11 |
| June 10 | December 14 | ||
It is singular that the mortality is much higher in
boys: out of 102 cases, 64 are boys, 38 girls.
I have no means of knowing the exact proportion
of fatal cases to the whole number of persons attacked
with the disease; but I have been accustomed to
believe that about one death happens in every ten
eases of the disease. My Colleague in Marylebone,