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
Deptford 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford, Metropolitan Borough of]
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67
Infectious Diseases of the Nervous System.
The incidence of Cerebro-spinal Meningitis, Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis
and Encephalitis Lethargica is separately set forth below:—
Cerebro-spinal Meningitis.
During the decennium 1915-1924, the yearly notifications averaged three cases. The figures since then are as follows:—
| 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 | 1930 | 1931 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Deaths | 1 | — | - | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4* |
*In three instances the diagnosis was not established before the death
of the patient.
Acute Poliomyelitis.
The average number of notifications received between 1915-1924 was two. The corresponding figures since 1924 are as follows:—
| 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 | 1930 | 1931 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | 1 |
| Deaths | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Encephalitis Lethargica.
During the five years terminating 1924 (in which year the incidence
reached its peak) the average annual number of cases notified was
three.
The subsequent figures were:—
| 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 | 1930 | 1931 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases | 9 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | - | — |
| Deaths | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | — |
No cases were notified during 1931. There is an unfortunate
tendency to physical, moral or mental sequelae, and all cases are
periodically re-visited and treatment offered.
Pneumonia.
Both Acute Primary and Influenzal Pneumonia are notifiable, and a statement of the notifications received and deaths recorded are as follows:—
| No. of cases Notified. | No. of deaths (all forms of Pneumonia.) | Death rate per 1,000 population. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average 1920-1924 | 94 | 137 | 1.2 |
| 1925-1929 | 172 | 121 | 1.0 |
| 1930 | 74 | 73 | 0.7 |
| 1931 | 101 | 113 | 1.0 |
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