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
Wandsworth 1880
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]
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Zymotic Diseases.—Smallpox was only fatal in 3
cases in the District; as we must admit, however, the
disease had began towards the end of 1880 to assume
serious proportions, this only indicates the thoroughness
with which isolation in Hospital was carried out. We
have still to regret our want of opportunity in tracing
the historv of the cases removed, without which no idea
can be formed of the mortality from this cause among
patients removed to Hospital from this District.
Scarlatina was very prevalent and fatal during the
year. The epidemic was especially severe in the Streatham
sub-district.
Diarrhœa was a feature of the epidemic mortality
for which the heat and humidity of the year were greatly
accountable.
Whooping Cough prevailed somewhat largely.
The total amount of Zymotic mortality in the several sub-districts is shown in the following table.
| SUB-DISTRICTS. | No. of Deaths from Zymotic Diseases per 1000 of the Estimated population | Ratio of Deaths from Zymotic Disease to every 100 of the total deaths. |
|---|---|---|
| Battersea | 3.6 | 18.7 |
| Clapham | 3.3 | 21.9 |
| Wandsworth | 3.3 | 19.0 |
| Streatham | 2.5 | 19.5 |
| Putney | 1.9 | 14.1 |
Non-Zymotic Diseases.—The only point of importance
to be noted is the great decrease in the fatal cases
of chest disease. The warmer temperature no doubt was
favourable to this result.