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
Walthamstow 1921
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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19
There was one death during the year, with a case mortality of 0.18
per cent.
The chief complications were Otorrhœa, 20; Heart trouble, 11;
Nephritis, 8; Transient Albuminuria, 12; Glandular involvement, both
simple and septic, 15; Rheumatism (Muscular), 4; Arthritis (simple), 3;
Mastoiditis, 3 ; Bronchitis, 3.
One case proved to be incubating Chicken 1'ox.
Diphtheria.—Two hundred and sixty-three cases admitted during
the year, compared with 220 in 1920, 273 in 1919, 180 in 1918.
MONTHLY ADMISSION OF DIPHTHERIA CASES.
| Under 5 years. | From 5 to 10 years. | From 10 to 15 years. | 15 years and upwards. | Total. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| m | f | m | f | m | f | m | f | ||
| January | 3 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 4 | — | 3 | 35 |
| February | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 26 |
| March | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | 20 |
| April | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 15 |
| May | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 8 |
| June | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 14 |
| July | 2 | — | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 20 |
| August | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 18 | |
| September | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 30 |
| October | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 31 |
| November | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 24 |
| December | 3 | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | 5 | 22 |
| Totals | 30 | 27 | 51 | 63 | 30 | 34 | 4 | 24 | 263 |
There were 12 deaths during the year, equal to a case mortality of
4'5 per cent.
The chief complications were Otorrhcea, 11; Cardiac syncopal
attacks, 20; Palatal Paralysis, 10; Strabismus, 6; Albuminuria, 7;
Nephritis, 3; Adenitis, 2.
Of the cases admitted 16 had urgent Laryngeal involvement.
Two cases were so urgent that Tracheotomy had to be performed at
once. Both cases recovered.
The fatal cases were mainly those who failed to have early medical
attendance and consequent very late administration of Antitoxin Serum.
Three cases were found on admittance to have Scarlet Fever as a
concurrent infection.
Staff.—One nurse contracted Diphtheria, and a nurse and one maid
suffered from Scarlet Fever. One of the nurses contracted Erysipelas;
a maid and a nurse Tonsilitis; and one of the maids developed
Mastoiditis.
Swabs.—One thousand seven hundred swabs were taken and
examined during the year.