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

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Walthamstow 1909

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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The number of cases removed to hospital from each Ward was as follows:—

St. James St.High St.Hoe St.Wood St.Northern.
190997534832134
and for previous years—
190878558326168
190783866183118
19065765507368
19055070443162
19045036503730
19035963536745
Per cent, removed—
19053331333833
190641.637.538.442.2347
19075658386747
190868.478.56342.565
19098380606969

DIPHTHERIA—MEMBRANOUS CROUP.
During the year, 183 cases of this disease were notified, compared
with 223 in 1908, and 251 in 1907.
The attack rate for the whole district was 1*3 and the death.rate '10
per 1,000 for the year—rates for us the most favourable on record.
One hundred and forty.four of the cases (80 per cent, of the total)
were removed to Hospital, those remaining at home being properly
isolated and kept under observation.
Of the patients admitted into the Sanatorium, seven died ; and of the
39 nursed at home seven also died. The apparent greater mortality
among those not entering the Hospital is partly due to the delay on the
part of parents in sending for medical advice until the patient was
moribund, and skilled treatment unavailing.
Of the 14 deaths, 10 were of children under five years, and every
year advice has been given as to the necessity for calling in a doctor
when children under ten years show symptoms of cold, running at the
nose, with langour and loss of colour, as well as to those with symptoms
of sore throat and croupiness, which parents associate with diphtheria.