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

Wood Green 1953

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wood Green]

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To this end, the County Council has given us permission to carry
out vaccination at our Child Welfare Clinics. This vaccination is
now being performed and will, one hopes, make a definite contribution
to the vaccination state, especially of infants.
Tuberculosis
Ninety cases of tuberculosis (80 pulmonary) were notified during
the year, as against 59 in 1952. Of the 90 new cases, 19 were
transfers from other districts, 71 cases being new notifications.

Table: A broad classification of the cases notified during the last two years in relation to employment was:

A broad classification of the cases notified during the last two years in relation to employment was:

Manual Labour237
Housewives116
Factory Workers45
Children43
Professional classes42
Domestic Service—1
Nurses—1
Shop Assistants21
Armed Forces—1
Retired persons3—
Unclassified86
Totals7140

Table: The number of cases on the register at the end of the year was as follows :

The number of cases on the register at the end of the year was as follows :

Pulmonary 247 malesN on-pulmonary 11 males
215 females32 females
Total—462Total—43

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Reference has already been made to the close liaison which
exists between the Housing Section and the Public Health Department
in relation to tuberculosis. This liaison also includes the
Tottenham Chest Clinic, which is most helpful and co-operative.
There is no doubt that housing plays a most important part in the
spread of tuberculosis, especially overcrowding and insanitary conditions.
The Housing Repairs and Rents Act should help materially,
and should provide an added weapon to reinforce the many, often
spectacular advances in the treatment of this extremely serious
disease.
Prevention is always better than cure. It therefore seems more
than ever illogical that vast sums have to be spent in treating cases
of tuberculosis which, in a properly organised society, should never
have occurred. This is a field in which local authorities can play a
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