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
Heston and Isleworth 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]
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39
Infectious Diseases.
The total number of cases of infectious disease notified during
the year was 167, a decrease compared with the previous year of
54, and practically the same number as in 1906. In making
comparisons between different years it must, however, be remembered
that the total for 1907 included an exceptional number of
cases of Diphtheria due to an outbreak of that disease in the
Union Infirmary and Schools.
The following table shows the number of cases of each disease notified in 1908. The corresponding figures for the two previous years are included for comparison:—
| Disease. | 1908. | 1907. | 1906. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Fever | 98 | 80 | 69 |
| Diphtheria | 44 | 116 | 63 |
| Typhoid Fever | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Croup (Diphtheria?) | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Erysipelas | 15 | 14 | 18 |
| Puerperal Fever | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 167 | 221 | 163 |
The number of cases notified does not represent the total
amount of infectious disease in the district. Measles, Whoopingcough
and Chicken-pox, three very common diseases, are not
notifiable, and cases of infectious disease that occur in the Barracks
or other Government buildings are not legally liable to be notified.
On the other hand a considerable number of notifications are
received every year from the Brentford Union Infirmary or Workhouse,
and probably many of these cases were not contracted in
the district.