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 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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The age groups of the notified cases and deaths are set out below:-
| Age Group | Notifications Acute Influenzal & Acute Primary Pneumonia | DEATHS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Influenza | Pneumonia | Bronchitis | Other Respi ratory | Total | ||
| 0 - | _ | _ | 2 | _ | _ | 2 |
| 1 - | 2 | _ | 1 | _ | _ | 1 |
| 2 - | 4 | _ | 1 | _ | _ | 1 |
| 5 - | 5 | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ |
| 15 - | 1 | 2 | _ | _ | _ | 2 |
| 25 - | 3 | _ | 1 | _ | 1 | 2 |
| 35 - | 4 | _ | _ | 1 | _ | 1 |
| 45 - | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | _ | 8 |
| 55 - | 5 | _ | 7 | 16 | 1 | 24 |
| 65 - | 4 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 2 | 29 |
| 75 † | 1 | 6 | 24 | 24 | 1 | 55 |
| Totals | 34 | 10 | 48 | 62 | 5 | 125 |
It will be noted from these tables that the notifications were spread fairly evenly
throughout all ages. The fatal cases of respiratory illness however were heavily weighted
in the old age groups, particularly above the age of 55.
Scabies and Vermin
There is still a considerable number of cases of scabies or itch as will be seen from
the number of children of all ages and adults treated at the Department s Treatment Centre
Greater attention to personal hygiene would reduce the likelihood of this infestation It is
evident that the standard of hygiene and personal cleanliness in some homes leaves something
to be desired although it must be remembered that the greater number of houses in Islington
are still without a bath, and a similar scarcity applies also to wash basins with hot and
cold running water for personal washing apart from the use of the kitchen sink
The majority of cases of vermin infestation are, of course infestation with head lice and again, a better standard of personal cleanliness would result in fewer cases.
| Scabies | Vermin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Children under 5 years | Number treated | 40 | 33 |
| Number of baths given | 65 | - | |
| Number of treatments | - | 33 | |
| L C C. Children | Number treated | 62 | 423 |
| Number of baths given | 132 | - | |
| Number of treatments | - | 423 | |
| Adults | Number treated | 143 | 79 |
| Number of baths given | 299 | - | |
| Number of treatments | - | 85 |