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
Coulsdon and Purley 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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Under these arrangements the following specimens were examined
during 1945:—
At Epsom for streptococci 62
At Croydon General Hospital:—
Blood for Widal test 5
Faeces for typhoid, paratyphoid, etc. 3
The Council has been assisted further by the Emergency Medical
Service Laboratory at Epsom, which since 1942 has examined all samples
of milk and carried out the bacteriological examinations of water. The
chemical examination of samples of water has been undertaken by the
Clinical Research Association. Prior to 1942 Messrs. Rideal, Rideal
and Server undertook all examinations of both milk and water.
DISINFECTION.
The disinfection of bedding, etc., is undertaken by the Wandle
Valley Joint Hospital Board, while the disinfection of premises is carried
out by the Officers of the Public Health Department.
For the convenience of ratepayers, the Council has decided to
arrange disinfection even when this is not essential in.the interests of
public health, but in these cases the following charges are made: 10s.
per load of bedding, etc., 5s. for the first room, and 2s. 6d. for each
additional room disinfected at the same time.
During 1945 the following disinfections were carried out:—
| Free of cost. | Upon payment. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loads of bedding, etc. | 76 | 23 | 99 |
| Houses disinfected | 106 | 3 | 109 |
HEALTH PROPAGANDA.
Steady use has been made of the opportunities for health propaganda
at the clinics and centres arranged by the Council, and during the
visitation of the Health Visitors and Sanitary Inspectors. The material
provided by the Central Council for Health Education and other bodies
has been extremely useful and is widely used. The following are a few ,
of the many subjects which have received particular attention during the
war: The care of the health in the black-out; the choice of foods in wartime;
cleanliness; the prevention of venereal and other infectious diseases;
and the prevention of scabies, including the display of a film on the latter
for the information of doctors, nurses, and other suitable persons.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The Council has been responsible, since it was constituted, for the
maternity and child welfare work of this District, and in its endeavours
to minimise the risks of childbirth and secure the care and healthy
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