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
Barking 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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47. ISOLATION HOSPITAL.
(a) Admissions.
The following is the table of admissions, etc., in respect of infectious diseases during 1930:—
| Disease. | In Hospital January, 1st, 1930. | Admitted during the year. | Died. | Discharged | In Hospital Dec. 31st. 1930. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Fever | 22 | 141 | 3* | 149 | 11 |
| Diphtheria | 31 | 337 | 14* | 312 | 42 |
| Pneumonia | — | 2 | _ | 1 | |
| Puerperal Fever | — | — | — | — | — |
| Puerperal Pyrexia | — | 3 | — | 3 | — |
| Enteric Fever | | - | 1 | — | — | |
| Erysipelas | - | — | — | — | — |
| Chicken-pox | - | 2 | — | 2 | — |
•Not the primary cause of death in two cases.
(b) Hospital Accommodation.—In February, 1930, a temporary
building was erected within the precincts of the hospital to increase
the number of beds available, and this ward has proved invaluable.
The building is 120 feet by 20 feet, and for the most part has been
devoted to dealing with cases of diphtheria.
During November, 1930, in order to avoid overcrowding the
hospital beyond a safety point, cases were sent by the Town to the
London Fever Hospital, at an approximate cost of £350.
I am asked by the Ministry of Health to refer to any action
which has been taken or advised with the object of securing that
the hospital accommodation available for cases of infectious disease
is utilized to the best advantage, and I am to refer to any action
"to replace hospital treatment in suitable instances by nursing and
supervision at home.
The people of Barking have long been used to expect the amenities
which have been provided in your infectious fever hospital, and,
as I have expressed myself elsewhere from time to time, I am of
opinion that the nursing these cases require is far better carried out
in a suitable institution than at home.