“Status Thymico-Lymphaticus” considered in the light of Recent Work on the Thymus

Abstract

In the year 1911 the heading “Status Lymphaticus” was first used in the publications of the Registrar-General of England and Wales and, in that year, 121 deaths were assigned primarily to this heading; Status Lymphaticus was also mentioned in the certificates relating to 25 of the deaths which occurred under anaesthesia. The heading was retained in the published tabulations as first introduced until 1921, when certifications of Status Lymphaticus were classified under the heading of “Diseases of the Thymus,” of which statistical group they have, so far, formed the whole. Between 1911 and 1924 (inclusive) the annual deaths—inclusive of those associated with anaesthesia—have fluctuated between 145 and 273. In the last four years there has been little variation, 209 in 1921, 204 in 1922, 200 in 1923 and 199 in 1924. Most of the deaths are in the age group 0–5 and a considerable majority are of males. Thus in the last two available years, 1923 and 1924, of 399 deaths 289 were at ages 0–5 and 258 were of males (respectively 72 and 65 per cent.). If the 85 deaths in which anaesthesia was an associated condition are excluded, 81 per cent. are of children aged 0–5 and 64 per cent. of males (Table I).