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
Penge 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Penge]
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8
PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS AND OTHER
DISEASES.
Diphtheria.
For the fifth year in succession no cases of diphtheria occurred in the
district.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
The following is a return of the number of children resident in the
district who were immunised against diphtheria during the year:—
Children born
1948-1952
Children born
1938-1947
Totals
Primary inoculations 422 62 484
Reinforcing 28 342 370
Penge children under the age of 15 years on the 31st December, 1952, who
had completed a course of immunisation at any time before that date were as
follows:—
Aged 0-4 years inclusive 1,538
,, 5-14 „ „ 3,415
Smallpox.
No case was notified and no Penge contacts of cases occurring elsewhere
were reported.
The following shows the number of Penge residents who were vaccinated against smallpox during the year:—
| Age at 31/12/52. | Under 1 | 1 to 4 | 5 to 14. | 15 or over | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccinated | 169 | 137 | 13 | 17 | 336 |
| Re-vaccinated | — | 1 | 7 | 50 | 58 |
Scarlet Fever.
There were 33 cases of Scarlet Fever notified (as against 43 in 1951) and
23 were removed to hospital.
The disease generally was of a mild type and there were three "return"
cases. No deaths were recorded.
Meningococcal Infection.
Four cases were notified and received hospital treatment. One of these
cases died and a further death occurred from this disease, the cause being
ascertained as a result of a post-mortem examination.
Poliomyelitis.
No case occurred during the year.