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
Bexley 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
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The number of non-notified tuberculosis deaths was
two. In spite of this, tuberculosis is well notified
in this area. In many unnotified cases, however, the
doctor is under the impression that the case has already
been notified. It must be again pointed out that this
does not remove the necessity for re-notification. 245
specimens of sputum were examined and reported upon
by the Staff of the County Laboratory.
It has been previously stated that the Kent County
Council is responsible for the administration of the
Tuberculosis Scheme, but in addition to the work carried
out by the County, certain duties in connection therewith
have to be done by the staff of your Health Department.
Three families during the year in which there was
a case of infectious tuberculosis where the patient could
not have a bedroom to him or herself were recommended
for consideration by the Housing Committee; and one
family was rehoused.
Disinfectants are provided for notified cases, and
arrangements are made for the disinfection of premises,
beddings, etc., following removal of patients to sanatoria,
and also after fatal cases.
The following statement shows the number of cases on the Notification Register for the district at the beginning and at the end of the year:—
| Pulmonary. | Non-pulmonary. | Total. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | M. | F. | ||
| Number on Register at the commencement of the | |||||
| year | 183 | 152 | 41 | 46 | 422 |
| Number on Register at the end of the year | 225 | 187 | 45 | 56 | 513 |
The increase in the number of cases on the register
and of the notifications is not a real rise of incidence in
the area, but due to the growth of the population, and
the number of inward transfer of cases to the area. Also,
it must be realised that the population is young, and
tuberculosis is more a disease of the young—including
both children, young men and young women.
No action was required to be taken under the Public
Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925,
relating to persons suffering from pulmonary
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