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
Barnes 1918
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnes]
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16
Infectious Diseases.
TUBERCULOSIS.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis has increased generally during the period of war as shown below:—
| males | females | total deaths (england & wales) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1911 | 21,985 | 17,247 | 39,232 |
| 1912 | 21,568 | 16,515 | 38,083 |
| 1913 | 21,034 | 16,021 | 37,055 |
| 1914 | 21,812 | 16,825 | 38,637 |
| 1915 | 23,630 | 18,046 | 41,676 |
| 1916 | 23,238 | 18,307 | 41,545 |
| 1917 | 23,670 | 19,443 | 43,113 |
Before the outbreak of war a steady decline was going on, but
from 1914 onwards there has been a steady increase, and the
proportion of females to males has increased.
Causes:—
1. There are 100,000 discharged tuberculosis soldiers.
2. Increased female employment in factories.
3. Overcrowding due to sub letting and want of sufficient and
healthy housing accommodation,
4. War conditions generally; such as stress, anxiety and
privations.
Local figures shew no increase of either notifications or deaths.
| notified. | deaths. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1911 | 38 | 30 | Average annual deaths—29. |
| 1912 | 112 | 28 | |
| 1913 | 74 | 33 | |
| 1914 | 66 | 38 | |
| 1915 | 60 | 19 | |
| 1916 | 55 | 85 | |
| 1917 | 54 | 27 | |
| 1918 | 58 | 26 |
THE MEASLES EPIDEMIC.
There were 742 cases of Morbilli and 25 of Rubella, with 15
deaths, including 2 outside the district. The epidemic was not
expected, as there had been one the previous year, and epidemics of
this disease are usually bi-ennial.