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 1964
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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The new cases were distributed amongst the wards as follows
TABLE VIII
| Localisation. | Coulsdon East. | Coulsdon IVest. | Kenley. | Purley. | Sanderstead. | Selsdon. | Woodcote. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | ||
| Non-pulmonary | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Totals | 4 | 1 | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | — |
The following table illustrates the trend of this disease since
the formation of the District.
TABLE IX
| 1915-1924 | 1925-1934 | 1935-1944 | 1945-1949 | 1950-1954 | 1955-1959 | 1964 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary— | |||||||
| New cases notified | 22 | 29 | 35 | 49 | 43 | 38 | 9 |
| "Case rate | 115 | 82 | 68 | 81 | 67 | 56 | 11 |
| Deaths | 12 | 13 | 21 | 27 | 16 | 8 | 3 |
| 'Death rate | 65 | 37 | 42 | 44 | 22 | 12 | 3 |
| Non-Pulmonary— | |||||||
| New cases notified | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| *Case rate | 15 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 3 |
| Deaths | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| *Death rate | 15 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
* (The rates quoted are per 100,000 population).
The Council is responsible for rehousing, one of the most
important measures in the prevention of this disease, and also for
disinfection, but the County Council bears the responsibility for
all other preventive measures except the treatment of cases which
is that of the Regional Hospital Board.
There are several methods of control of tuberculosis and their
efficient implementation is important in view of the fact that 9
new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were notified in 1964, the
average for the last five years being 20. Among these methods the
following are especially effective :
Mass X-ray. This has brought to light early cases which have
been treated and rendered non-infectious in a short time.
B.C.G. Vaccination of School Children. This protects the vulnerable
under 25 years age group.
Contacts. Tracing contacts and arranging for treatment of those
found to be suffering is important in the prevention of spread of
the disease.
16