On this day in south west Hertfordshire
Dr C.E. Saunders, the Medical Officer of Health for Herts, in his annual sanitary report, disclosed that the estimated population of the Watford Rural Sanitary Authority district was 17,410.
During the year there were 268 deaths. Of these, 49 were of children under one year of age and 94 of persons over 60.
In common with many other parts of the country, diptheria has been the most fatal infectious disease of the past year.
[From the Watford Observer of May 1, 1886]
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