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 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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As in the case of Scarlet Fever, this disease has been more
prevalent, being the largest number since the year 1908, when
there were 456 cases notified.
During the last few months of the year there was an epidemic
in the Infants' Department at New Beckton School, and although
I visited the School a number of times and took " swabs " from
the throats of the children in the class-rooms affected, I found it
impossible to arrest the spread of the disease until I advised the
closure of the Department for 14 days.
Since that time there have been no more cases from that
district.
I again point out the danger of the common drinking cup
in the Schools, which may be infected by a " carrier " of
Diphtheria, and advise spray drinking jets to be provided instead.
The following table gives the number of cases notified, attack-rate per 1,000 of population, and the mortality per cent, during the past five years :—
| Year. | Population. | Cases Notified. | Attack rate per. 1,000 of Population. | Mortality per 100 cases notified. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 130,596 | 142 | 1.9 | 9.1 |
| 1911 | 134,441 | 121 | 0.9 | 9.0 |
| 1912 | 138,450 | 72 | 0.5 | 12.5 |
| 1913 | 142,467 | 258 | 1.8 | 6.2 |
| 1914 | 146,526 | 319 | 2.1 | 8.4 |
Preventive Methods Undertaken to Control the Spread
of the Disease.
On receipt of the notification of a case of Diphtheria the patient
is at once removed to Hospital, if this is desired or necessary, and
the room previously occupied and its contents are disinfected.
Library books, if present, are removed for disinfection. Whether the
patient be removed to Hospital or not, the Sanitary Inspector at
once calls and obtains all particulars of the case and endeavours to
trace the source of infection. He also leaves a printed form giving
full instructions as to isolation, etc., and the precautions which