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Deaths from Epidemic Diseases. To the seven principal
epidemic diseases (Small-pox, Measles, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria,
Whooping Cough, Enteric Fever, Diarrhœal Diseases) 111 deaths were
ascribed, and the death-rate from them was 1.08 per 1,000 of the
estimated civilian population, as against 1.5 per 1,000 in the preceding
year.
Notifiable Infectious Diseases. Under the provisions of
Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and the Tuberculosis Regulations,
1,756 notifications of cases of infectious diseases were received, as
compared with 2,313 in 1917.
The deaths from these diseases will be found in Table IV.
Small-Pox. An outbreak of small-pox appeared in London during
the months of March and April, mainly in the East End, the first case
being discovered in Stepney on 2nd March. Of the 34 cases which
occurred only one belonged to Deptford, the patient, a woman residing
in the North Ward, being promptly removed to hospital. Diligent
investigation showed that the patient had visited a picture house in
Stepney about a fortnight previous to her illness. She had been
successfully vaccinated in infancy, but not re-vaccinated. She made a
good recovery.
Prompt measures were taken to prevent the spread of infection,
and no further case occurred.
Tuberculosis. 205 persons were notified for the first time as
suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis (consumption of the lungs), and
112 as suffering from other forms of tuberculosis.
17l deaths were registered as Pulmonary Tuberculosis representing
a death rate of l.6 per 1,000 against 1.8 in 1917. To other forms of
tuberculous disease 41 deaths were ascribed, nearly 11.6 per cent. of the
deaths from all causes being due to some form of tuberculosis.
Disinfection is carried out in all cases as in previous years.
The Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations (No. 2) 1918, dated
6th September, 1918, amended the regulations of 1912 in order to
provide for the notification of all cases of tuberculosis discovered at
medical examinations undertaken by the Medical Boards under control
of the Ministry of National Service, to the Medical Officer of Health
of the Sanitary District in which the man resides.