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71 [1907
DIPHTHERIA.
There were 42 deaths ascribed to this disease, which is an increase of 10
on the return of the preceding year. The deaths are also in excess of the
records of 1905, when 34 occurred, and of 1904, when there were 28. They
are, however far below the returns of the year prior to 1903, when it was no
unusual circumstance for them to number 100 and upwards.
The figures for quinquennial periods since 1881 are as follows:—
Deaths.
Average number
per annum.
1881-85
418
83
1886-90
311
62
1891-95
842
168
1896-1900
678
135
1901-05
343
68
It is plain from these figures that we are returning to the state of affairs
that existed in Islington in the second half of the last century, down to 1880,
the figures of which for each year, have been compiled by the Medical Officer
of Health, and are now given in quinquennial periods.
Deaths.
Average number
per annum.
1861-65
194
39
1865-70
137
27
1871-75
115
23
1876-80
165
33
During the five years 1903 to 1907, the deaths in Islington numbered 163,
or nearly 33 per annum, so that they are almost identical with those that obtained
thirty years ago, and when the increase in the population is taken into account,
are even better. In those former days Diphtheria, which was always a very
fatal disease, was considered to be one whose habitat was essentially rural.
It seemed to shun towns and populous places. Later on its habit changed, and
it became more prevalent in them than in country places, so that at present its
mortality in urban counties is 245 per million, as against 173 in the rural
counties.
So far as Islington is concerned, there has been not only a decrease in
the number of deaths during the last few years, but also in the number of cases,
which in the five years 1891-5 reached to 3,669; in the next five years,
1896-1900, 3,610 ; and in the five years 1901-05 2,923. Thus there has been a
decrease of 687 cases, or 135 per annum, between the totals of the two last