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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Penge]
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11
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948
Under Section 50 of the Act, it is the duty of the local authority to arrange
for the burial or cremation of the body of any person who has died in its area
if it appears that no suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body have or
are being made. During the year five bodies were dealt with by the Council
under these provisions.
Under Section 47 of this Act it was necessary to apply for a Magistrate's
Order for the removal of a woman in need of care to a home. This application
was granted.
MORTUARY
During the year 16 bodies were brought to the Mortuary where post-mortem
examinations were conducted by a Home Office pathologist.
A refrigerating chamber is installed in the Mortuary.
My thanks are due to the Chairman and Members of the Public Health
Committee for their cordial support during the year, and also to the staff of the
Public Health Department for their ready co-operation at all times.
I am, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
B. E. HAWKINS,
Medical Officer of Health.
| At all ages | Under 1 | 1 to 2 | 2 to 3 | 3 to 4 | 4 to 5 | 5 to 10 | 10 to 15 | 15 to 20 | 20 to 35 | 35 to 45 | 45 to 65 | 65 and upWds | admitted to Hospital | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poliomyelitis | 3 | – | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Scarlet Fever | 11 | – | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Pneumonia | 18 | – | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Erysipelas | 5 | – | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Measles | 662 | 31 | 101 | 84 | 90 | 74 | 274 | 1 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — |
| Whooping Cough | 69 | 8 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | – | – |
| Dysentery Puerperal | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Pyrexia | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Totals | 772 | 39 | 118 | 95 | 105 | 90 | 292 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 10 |
One death of a notified case.