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
Battersea 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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Particulars of the incidence of this disease during 1937 and the four preceding years are shown in the following table :—
| Year. | Cases. | Houses Invaded. | Deaths. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notified. | Per 1,000 Population | Registered | Per 1,000 Population | Per 100 Cases. | ||
| 1933 | 396 | 2·57 | 344 | 12 | 0·08 | 3·03 |
| 1934 | 557 | 3·69 | 487 | 20 | 0·13 | 3·59 |
| 1935 | 383 | 2·58 | 330 | 9 | 0·06 | 2·35 |
| 1936 | 280 | 1·92 | 245 | 7 | 0·05 | 2·50 |
| 1937 | 251 | 1·75 | 220 | 9 | 0·06 | 3·59 |
| Average | 373 | 2·52 | 325 | 11·4 | 0·08 | 3·05 |
The incidence of the disease was highest in the Church, Nine
Elms and Winstanley wards.
Diphtheria anti-toxin, in accordance with the recommendation
of the Ministry of Health, is supplied free of charge on the request
of any registered medical practitioner, at any hour of the day or
night.
During the year 23 phials (approximately 124,000 units) of
anti-toxin were supplied, on request, to medical practitioners
practising in the Borough.
Schick Clinic.
The Diphtheria Immunisation (Schick) Clinic, established at
the close of 1927, is held weekly at the Southlands Maternity and
Child Welfare centre. The work is carried on under the supervision
of Dr. F. Porter Smith, m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p.
The result of the year's work is summarised as follows:—
| Sessions held | 51 |
| Patients attending in 1937 (new 392) | 520 |
| Attendances | 1,767 |
| „ (average per session) | 34·6 |
| Number of tests for susceptibility (including 9 of old patients) | 191 |
| (Positive 149, negative on 1st test 31, on second 9, no reading 2) |