London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Harrow-on-the-Hill 1897

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow-on-the-Hill]

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deadly to the children of the poor that I would again ask the
Council to place it on the list of notifiable diseases, and thus
afford the opportunity of lessening its ravages. In 1896, in Harrow,
the number of deaths from Measles was five times greater than
from all the other Zymotic diseases taken together.
LONGEVITY.
In Harrow when the dangers of infancy are safely passed long
life may be anticipated.
There were 31 deaths registered of persons over 65 years of
age, being 43 per cent. of the total deaths.
Of these 3 died between 65 and 70, 14 between 70 and 80, 12
between 80 and 90, and 2 between 90 and 100, 1 of whom reached
the great age of 96.
HOW TO REDUCE THE DEATH-RATE.
If Harrow is to maintain its position in the race of health
much remains to be done.
House-to-house inspection is absolutely essential. The
insanitary conditions reported as existing in various dwellings on
the outbreak of Infectious Diseases show how important this is.
These are evidently samples of the bulk. The present policy
of deferring such inspection until disease breaks out is simply
lamentable. I would once more urge that the Council should give
instructions for house-to-house inspection.
THE INFANT INCUBATOR.
The great use of this apparatus in saving, not only children
prematurely born, but also many suffering from chest affections
and other diseases, causes me again to recommend that one should
be provided. The lack of this in Harrow permits children to
perish, whilst across the Channel they are preserved in large
numbers. Now that the Cottage Hospital has been so liberally
endowed, it appears unreasonable that what is so requisite should
not be provided.