London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Wandsworth 1968

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]

This page requires JavaScript

19
The number of deaths certified as due to various forms of
tuberculosis was 23.

Particulars of the primary notifications and deaths during the year classified by sex and age, are given in the following table:—

Age GroupsPrimary NotificationsDeaths
PulmonaryNon-PulmonaryPulmonaryNon-Pulmonary
M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.
Under 1 year--------
1-4321-----
5-92-------
10-142------
15-2481122
25-4425106111
45-643072422
65 and over8517311
Totals76379512623

During the year a total of 1,877 home visits were made by
tuberculosis visitors, of which 852 were first visits.
A reference to the work of the Chest Clinics and to the activities
of the Tuberculosis Care Committees will be found on pages 74
to 78.
Typhoid
One confirmed case in the person of a resident female nurse on
the staff at a local hospital occurred during the year.
In collaboration with the hospital an intensive investigation was
carried out by the Health Department involving staff, patients and
recent patients of the hospital, and contacts of these persons in
an endeavour to trace the source of infection. Where necessary
faecal and urine specimens were collected and sent to the laboratory
for bacteriological examination. Enquiries were also made
at local shops, cafes, etc., which had been visited by patients or
others. In the course of the investigation a total number of 554
faecal and 554 urine specimens from 331 persons were bacteriologically
examined, with negative results in all cases. The source
of infection was not traced.
Towards the end of this investigation a patient admitted to
hospital in another area was reported to be suffering from typhoid
fever. The patient was a Ghanaian who had arrived in this country
only three weeks before and although not living in Wandsworth
was employed at a limb-fitting factory situated near the abovementioned
hospital. In view of the connection of his place of
employment and the hospital, together with the fact that meals