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
Islington 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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16
Whooping Cough Prophylaxis.
Total attendances 7,794
Completed cases 1,228
Combined Diphtheria and Whooping Cough Prophylaxis.
Completed cases 249
Food Poisoning.
During the year 55 cases of food poisoning were notified. As mentioned in my
report last year, the sum total of illness due to the consumption of contaminated
food is undoubtedly considerably greater than appears from the total of notified
cases only. Fortunately, the majority of food poisoning cases are not severely ill
and the attack is of short duration, so that medical attention is not always sought
and therefore notification does not take place.
In accordance with Circular 2/50 of the Ministry of Health, January, 1950, the following reports are included.
| Date | No. of Notifi-cations | No. of persons served | No. of cases reported | No. of deaths | Foods involved and Organisms responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29.3.49 | Nil | 153 | 8 | _ | Food and organisms not determined |
| 28.6.49 | Nil | 609 | 36 | — | Food and organisms not determined |
| 12.9.49 | Nil | 941 | 17 | — | Food and organisms not determined |
| 22.9.49 | Nil | 442 | 123 | — | Food and organisms not determined |
| *7.7.49 | 3 | ? | 3 | — | Food—duck egg : Organism — Salmonella typhi murium. |
| *15.9.49 | 11 | ? | 15 | — | Cockles. Organisms not determined |
* Islington residents affected in outbreaks occurring in other Boroughs.
Scabies and Vermin.
Benzyl benzoate continues to be the treatment of choice for Scabies and
proprietory 2 per cent. D.D.T. emulsion for the treatment of verminous heads. Both
of these preparations have given extremely satisfactory results for their respective
purposes.
Complicated cases of Scabies and special cases referred by the general
practitioners continue to be seen by the Council's consulting dermatologist, Dr. Marre,
at the Scabies Clinic, which is held weekly.
Treatment for scabies and vermin was carried out at the Public Health Department, Seven Sisters Road (Cleansing Station), as under—
| Scabies | Vermin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Children under 5 years | Number treated | 61 | 47 |
| Number of baths given | 119 | — | |
| Number of treatments | — | 52 | |
| L.C.C. Children | Number treated | 69* | 1,250 |
| Number of baths given | 316 | — | |
| Number of treatments | — | 1, 53 | |
| Adults | Number treated | 172 | 193 |
| Number of baths given | 416 | — | |
| Number of treatments | — | 251 |
* 27 Contacts were given baths