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
Orpington 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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50
SECTION G.
PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL
OVER INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
A total of 1,559 notifications of infectious diseases were received
during the year, as against 1,577 for 1952. Statistical details will be
found in the Appendix.
There were no epidemics of a serious nature during the year.
Smallpox.
No cases occurred in the area, although several contacts or
suspected contacts of cases came under our supervision.
Vaccination.
The following figures, which have been supplied by the County Medical Officer, show the number of persons resident in the area, who were vaccinated against smallpox during 1953.
| Year of Birth. | Primary Vaccination. | Re-vaccination. |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 366 | — |
| 1952 | 251 | — |
| 1951 | 15 | 1 |
| 1950 | 9 | 2 |
| 1949 | 9 | 5 |
| 1948 | 8 | 6 |
| 1947 | 2 | 11 |
| 1946 | 2 | 6 |
| 1945 | 4 | 2 |
| 1944 | 9 | 3 |
| 1943 | 3 | 11 |
| 1942 | 3 | 4 |
| 1941 | 6 | 3 |
| 1940 | 4 | 3 |
| 1939 | 5 | 4 |
| Before 1939 | 29 | 146 |
| 725 | 207 |
One should compare these figures with the number of babies born
during a twelve month.
Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis.
Eleven cases were notified, giving an attack rate of 0.17 per 1,000
population. Six of these were paralytic cases and five non-paralytic.
Seven cases were removed to hospital and the remainder were home
nursed. There was one death from this disease.
It was apparent that there were many other cases during the year
who had the prodromal symptoms without reaching a diagnostic state.
Present state of the six paralytic cases:—