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
East Ham 1910
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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24
ENTERIC FEVER.
During the first six months of the year no cases of Enteric
Fever were notified. In October, seven cases were notified,
and in four of them a history of the patient having recently eaten
shell-fish was obtained. Two other cases were of brothers who
had been drinking impure water.
The following Table gives the number of cases notified, the attack-rate and the death-rate from this disease during the past five years:—
| Year. | Population. | Cases notified. | Attack rate per 1,000 of Population. | Mortality per 100 Cases Notified. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 129,886 | 39 | 0.32 | 22.8 |
| 1907 | 136,421 | 37 | 0.27 | 5.4 |
| 1908 | 142,976 | 19 | 0.13 | 15.8 |
| 1909 | 149,576 | 10 | 0.07 | 50.0 |
| 1910 | 156,208 | 19 | 0.12 | 26.3 |
Of the 19 cases notified last year, 16 were admitted to the
Borough Isolation Hospital, to the London Hospital, or to the
Guardians' Infirmary. The number of deaths from this disease
was five, which equals a rate of 0.03 per 1,000 of population.
The rate for England and Wales was 0.05, and the average for
the 77 Great Towns 0.05 per 1,000 of population.
ERYSIPELAS.
There were 104 cases of Erysipelas notified as compared
with 108 during the previous year. 4 deaths occurred from
this disease. The disease was of a mild character and being only
slightly infectious most of the cases were treated at home. The
few cases removed to the Isolation Hospital were those that
could not conveniently be nursed at home.
PUERPERAL FEVER.
This disease is not nearly so prevalent as it used to be
since nurses and midwives have been taught antiseptic methods
of treatment.
Six cases were notified during the year—.of these, 4 died
of the disease.