On This Day, 12 December 1916

Birmingham Daily Post

Tuesday 12 December 1916

HEALTH OF BIRMINGHAM

The damp and misty weather last week was reflected in the health of the city, which was by no means so good as usual. The total death rate was equal to 16.2 per thousand, of the population, as compared with 13.6 in the previous week, and 15.2 in the corresponding week of last year. No fewer than 73 deaths were due to respiratory diseases, an increase of 34 on the week, and 15 more than in the same period a year ago. There was no death from scarlet fever during the past fortnight, but 23 new cases were recorded, against 38, and 177 patients are in hospital, an increase of three on the week, and 173 below the total twelve months ago. Two deaths were ascribed to measles, against two, and 218 new cases were notified against 254. Diphtheria was responsible for two deaths against two, 12 new cases were registered against 14, and 73 patients are under treatment. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the cause of 27 deaths against 22, 55 fresh cases were notified against 48, and 567 patients are in the City Sanatoria, a decrease of one on the week. No death has occurred from cerebro spinal meningitis or “spotted” fever for several weeks, but last week two new cases were reported.