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
Croydon 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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Co-ordination with Medical Practitioners, and Other Branches of the
Health Department.
During the year 845 cases of suspected Tuberculosis were
referred by private medical practitioners; 103 were diagnosed as
suffering from Tuberculosis and were subsequently notified. In
addition, 104 children were referred by (lie School Medical
Service, and 78 cases from the Maternity and Child Welfare
section of the Public Health Department. 88 per cent, of all
notified cases were examined at the Clinic or were seen at the
request of the medical attendant at the patient's home, as compared
with 83.4 per cent, in 1947.
The results of examinations made in 1948 are as follows:—
| For Clinic. | For General Practitioners. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive (i.e., tubercle bacilli present) | 940 | 38 | 978 |
| Negative (i.e., tubercle bacilli absent) | 1777 | 434 | 2211 |
| Totals | 2717 | 472 | 3189 |
For each 100 new cases and contacts examined at the Clinic,
160 specimens of sputum were examined.
X-Ray Work.
4,265 X-Ray examinations were made during the year. This
is equivalent to 261 for every 100 new cases and-contacts seen,
and compares with a rate of 212 in 1947. In addition, a certain
number of cases who have already been examined at various
hospitals are referred to the Clinic. The X-Ray examinations
were carried out at Mayday Hospital until the end of April.
On the 1st May an X-Ray plant installed at the Chest Clinic
was brought into use.
Blood Examinations.
Blood sedimentation rate was ascertained in 474 cases at
Mayday Hospital for the Chest Clinic during the year.
46