Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Annual report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford
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61
Discovery. — Mild cases of indisposition or disease excite
no particular attention, or are attributed to other than the real
cause by parents, guardians, or friends, and are not submitted
to medical examination. In the autumn there are generally
several instances of parents and guardians failing to recognise as
infectious cases slight disturbances of health in children until
other children become infected and develop typical symptoms.
When cases of suspected infectious diseases occur there is
sometimes considerable difficulty and delay in making an exact
medical diagnosis in certain types of the diseases. Here bacteriological
and additional clinical examinations are brought to
bear upon doubtful types, and to check or confirm the diagnosis.
The arrangements for the bacteriological examination and
reports upon doubtful cases by the Council with the Clinical
Research Association of Watergate House, Adelphi, W.C.,
were renewed.
Bacillus found. | Doubtful. | Bacillus not found. | Total. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Diphtheria (Secretion) | 41 | 0 | 148 | 189 |
Reaction obtained. | Doubtful. | 1 Reaction not 1 obtained. | Total. | |
Typhoid (Blood) | 0 | 3 | 8 | 11 |
Bacillus found. | Doubtful. | Bacillus not found. | Total. | |
Tuberculosis (Sputum) | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
It seems apparent that medical men practising in the
district do not sufficiently avail themselves of the facilities
offered by the Council.