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
West Ham 1903
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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During the year 1903, I received, in this manner, intimation of 1,744 cases of Measles and 515 cases of Whooping Cough.
| Disease. | No. of cases. | No. of deaths. | Death-rate per 1,000. | Average death-rate 10 years, 1893-1902. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measles | 1,744 | 143 | .50 | .62 |
| Whooping Cough | 515 | 164 | .58 | .49 |
| Diarrhœa | — | 290 | 1.02 |
These diseases not only increase the general Zymotic death-rate,
but are chiefly responsible for the magnitude of the infantile deathrate
; and it is pleasing to note that, largely owing to the comparatively
few deaths from Diarrhoea, caused by the combined operation
of excessive rain and low temperature during the summer, the
infantile death-rate (148 per 1,000 births) was lower than has been
previous'y recorded.
Disinfection.—The routine practice with regard to disinfection
in West Ham naturally varies according as the necessity for the
operation arises from the removal of a patient to the hospital or from
the recovery of the patient at home. In the case of removal to