Link: Illness, Disease & Epidemic in Hull 1884/85

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 An account of why deaths caused by illness, disease and epidemics peaked in 1884/85 in Hull

http://www.bmj.com/content/1/1379/1246.full.pdf

The British Medical Journal  June 4, 1887  pag 1248/9

KINGSTON.ON-HULL - Diarrhea due to Polluted Water-Supply.
The reports for this borough for the years 1884 and 1885 respectively contain records of Dr. J. W. MIason's pathological experiences which are alike interesting and valuable. The mortality from zymotic diseases was considerably higher in 1884 than in the following year.

Small-pox on several occasions gave rise to considerable anxiety, and the deaths from measles, diphtheria, and diarrhea were above the average, the last-named disease causing 331 deaths.

In 1885 diarrhcea was again the most fatal of the zymotic diseases, but only fifty-nine deaths occurred that year. Great interest was attached to the epidemic of diarrhoea that occurred in March, and it is believed to have resulted from the pollution of the Hull water-supply. The outbreak was peculiar in its suddenness, only a few isolated cases having occurred; and it was limited to houses supplied with Hull water, or to persons who, having business occupations in Hull, had partaken of the water. The characteristic symptoms were purging, vomiting, and pain in the bowels, attended by great prostration and cramps ; and Dr. Mason reports that, although the majority of cases were amenable to treatment, yet others showed a tendency to recar. He estimates that about 18,000 to 20,000 persons, in all classes of society, suffered from its effects. From personal observations during the epidemic, Dr. Mason had strong reasons for believing in the contagious nature of diarrhcea.

A Special Investigation Committee found that the outbreak was attributable to the contamination of the Hull water-supply by the admission into it of sewage and other noxious matter-possibly of the excreta of persons suffering from diarrhcea at a period just anterior to the epidemic. It is a matter for congratulation that it was attended with no fatal results ; and the death-rate was unaffected, since 1885 showed the lowest rate ever recorded-17.3 per 1,000. In 1884 the death-rate was 21.1 per 1,000, and Dr. Mason remarks that the gradual decrease recorded since 1868 has doubtless resulted from the great sauitary improvements which have been carried out since that time.

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