Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]
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SECTION F
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
GENERAL:
The general incidence of Infectious Disease was low throughout the
year, and at no time gave rise to any concern.
For the second year in succession there were no cases of poliomyelitis.
There were no cases of Smallpox either at the time of the outbreak
in other centres or at any other time during the year.
All cases are visited by the Nurse Visitor, and general advice has
been given on the precautions that need to be taken in its control;
letters from the Medical Officer of Health setting out some of the principle
points being delivered by her. Detailed enquiries are made as
well as arrangements for the examination of contacts, and their exclusion
as well as the patient from school or work where appropriate. In the
occasional case where it may be desirable to exclude a contact from work,
the appropriate certificate under the National Insurance Act is given.
These visits are of considerable value in limiting the spread of
infections, and are in the main, greatly appreciated both by the Doctors
and the patients or their parents. In some cases where it may appear
to the Visitor that further medical treatment is necessary, the calling
in of medical advice has been recommended.
In 1962, 2,424 visits were paid by the Nurse Visitor.
The following table shows the incidence of notifiable diseases in 1962.
All Ages | Under 1 yr | 1-4 yrs | 5-14 yrs | 15-24 yrs | 25-44 yrs | 45-64 yrs | 65 + | Cases treated in Hosp. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dysentery | 43 | - | 18 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 2 | - | 1 |
Encephalitis | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
Erysipelas | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Food Poisoning | 43 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Gastro-Enteritis | 21 | 12 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 6 |
Measles | 171 | 8 | 90 | 64 | 7 | 2 | - | - | 7 |
Meningococcal Infections | 1 | 1 | _ | - | - | _ | _ | _ | 1 |
Opthalmia Neonatorum | 7 | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5 |
Puerperal Pyrexia | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 |
Pneumonia (Acute Primary) | 60 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 23 | 11 | 46 |