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
Paddington 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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Deaths.—The numbers of deaths from tuberculosis, and the death rates for each year from 1939 are set out in the following table:—
| Year | No. of Deaths From | Total Deaths | Death-Rate Per 1,000 Pop. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary T uberculosis | Non-Pulmonary Tuberculosis | Pulmonary Tuberculosis | All Forms of Tuberculosis | ||
| 1939 | 83 | 12 | 95 | 0.66 | 0.75 |
| 1940 | 72 | 14 | 86 | 0.73 | 0.88 |
| 1941 | 85 | 12 | 97 | 1.09 | 1.25 |
| 1942 | 70 | 17 | 87 | 0.83 | 1.04 |
| 1943 | 74 | 5 | 79 | 0.82 | 0.87 |
| 1944 | 76 | 8 | 84 | 0.82 | 0.90 |
| 1945 | 59 | 9 | 68 | 0.9 | 0.68 |
| 1946 | 95 | 5 | 100 | 0.80 | 0.85 |
| 1947 | 71 | 12 | 83 | 0.56 | 0.65 |
| 1948 | 69 | 12 | 81 | 0.54 | 0.63 |
| 1949 | 79 | 6 | 85 | 0.60 | 0.65 |
| 1950 | 53 | 2 | 55 | 0.41 | 0.42 |
| No. of patients examined for first time (excluding contacts) | 1,622 | (1,453 |
| No. of above found tuberculous | 248 | (266) |
| No. of contacts examined | 442 | (367) |
| No. of contacts found tuberculous | 11 | (19) |
| No. of attendances at Chest Clinic | 7,571 | (7,704) |
| No. of visits by Chest Physicians | 561 | (199) |
| No. of visits by Nurses | 2,477 | (1,670) |
venereal diseases.—The Borough Council is not concerned with the treatment of venereal diseases, but gives
publicity to the dangers of the disease. During 1950 the permanent notices in the public conveniences were renewed
and further notices affixed, with the consent of the landlords, in conveniences attached to public houses in the Borough.
The Council also contributes to the funds of The National Society for the Prevention of Venereal Disease.
national assistance act, 1948.
Section 47—Removal to suitable premises of persons in need of care and attention.—One Court Order was applied
for and granted during the year, the person concerned being detained in hospital for approximately three months.
The Order was revoked upon an undertaking being given that daily help would be provided. All cases brought to our
notice are visited by the Lady Sanitary Inspectors, who made 340 visits during the year in this connection.
Section 50—Burial or cremation of the dead.—There was a sharp drop in the number of burials during the year—
35 compared with 81 in 1949. This was due to the Council not being called upon to deal with persons dying in hospitals.
mortuary.—The number of bodies received at the Mortuary was 345 (376). Inquests were held in 94 (123) cases
and Coroner's Certificates were issued in 243 (239). The remaining 8 bodies were taken to the Mortuary to await burial.
water supply.—One water supply certificate under Section 95 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, was
issued.
The water supply was cut off in 8 cases on account of wastage or non-payment of rates and the Council notified
in accordance with Section 98 of the Public Health (London), Act, 1936. Appropriate action was taken by the
Department for the reinstatement of supplies.