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
Rotherhithe 1895
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Rotherhithe]
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124
Now, consideration of the figures relating to fevers through a series of years preceding
1890 will, I think, sufficiently show that the Managers had no reason to anticipate that any
further additions to their hospitals than the one contemplated would be necessary.
Here are the figures:—
| Year. | Total number of cases admitted to Fever Hospitals. | Maximum number in Hospital at one time. |
|---|---|---|
| 1883 | 2720 | 661 |
| 1884 | 2547 | 476 |
| 1885 | 1855 | 352 |
| 1886 | 2197 | 734 |
| 1887 | 6537 | 2764 |
| 1888 | 5152 | 1015 |
| 1889 | 5772 | 1884 |
In 1890-91, however, the effects of compulsory notification began to be felt, and here
are the figures for those years: —
| Year. | Total number of cases admitted to Fever Hospitals. | Maximum number in Hospital at one time. |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 8334 | 2435 |
| 1891 | 7809 | 2055 |
Other causes were simultaneously contributing to a large increase in the proportion of
fever patients seeking admission to the Board's hospitals, and, in 1892, the rush was sudden
and overwhelming, no less than 37,784 cases of fevers and diphtheria being notified, and
16,276 cases actually admitted to the Board's hospitals within the year.
Each year since the proportion of fever patients for whom hospital treatment is required
has been steadily increasing. Thus of the total scarlet fever cases alone (which are by far
the largest number) notified in London there were admitted to the Board's hospitals:—
In 1890 42.64 per cent.
„ 1891 46.16 „