London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Holborn 1915
Report for the year 1915 of the Medical Officer of Health
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2.—Attendances and Examinations.
| Insured. | Non-Insured. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|
3.—Diagnosis.
In all doubtful cases the diagnosis was based on:—
(a) Family history.
(b) Sputum examination.
(c) X-rays.
(d) Cutaneous tests of Yon Pirquet and Moro.
(e) Observation (e.g. periodical weighing, examination, etc.)
Children with indefinite signs were kept under observation, when the above
tests gave negative results. A considerable proportion of these cases are still
under supervision.
(a) A history of probable infection of a near relative was obtained in 33 of
the cases.
(b) Sputum examinations.
The majority of the specimens were examined by the anti-formin
method, and in all doubtful cases three examinations were made, when
possible.
Total number of specimens examined—
| Insured. | Non-Insured. | Total. |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | 35 | 77 |
Tubercle bacilli found in 40 specimens.
(c) X-rays were used on four occasions.
Of these 2 were negative, 1 was positive, and the fourth confirmed
the diagnosis of a sarcoma of the mediastinum.
(d) The cutaneous reactions were only used in children with indefinite physical signs.
| Positive. | Negative. | |
|---|---|---|
| Yon Pirquet's test | 3 | 2 |
| Moro's test | 1 |
d