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
Ilford 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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34
Of the cases notified, the following table shows the percentage treated in
institutions, including those who were treated in the institutions from which
they were notified :—
Scarlet Fever 60.8
Diphtheria and Membranous Croup 100.0
Puerperal Pyrexia 100.0
Pneumonia 55.5
The total number of deaths of Ilford residents from the following infectious diseases during 1947 and 1948 were as follows:—
| 1947 | 1948 | |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Fever | — | — |
| Enteric Fever | — | — |
| Diphtheria | 1 | — |
| Measles | 1 | — |
| Whooping Cough | 2 | — |
| Influenza | 20 | 8 |
| Tuberculosis—Pulmonary | 65 | 62 |
| Other forms | 10 | 7 |
| Pneumonia | 68 | 50 |
| Diarrhoea (under 2 years) | 6 | 1 |
| Cerebro-spinal Fever | 1 | 3 |
| Puerperal Sepsis | — | — |
| Total | 174 | 131 |
The year 1948, on the whole, showed a higher incidence of infectious
disease than 1947. The number of cases of measles notified was 2,937 as
compared with 2,232 the previous year.
(a) Smallpox.—No cases were notified during 1948. Notifications
regarding 8 persons who had been in contact with cases of Smallpox on
the Continent were received. These were visited by the Sanitary Inspectors,
64 visits being paid.
The following gives particulars as to Vaccination during 1948: —
Certificates of Successful Vaccination 690
Postponed 18
Conscientious Objections 297
Unsuccessful Vaccination 20
Left the District 119
The above figures are for the period 1st January to 4th July only.
Under the National Health Service Act, 1946, compulsory vaccination was
abolished, and from 5th July, 1948, this service became the responsibility of
the Essex County Council vide Section 2 of the National Health Service
Act, 1948.
(b) Scarlet Fever.—304 cases were notified in 1948. There were no
deaths from this disease.
The following "return" cases have occurred during the past five years, a "return" case being one which arises within 28 days of the release of the primary case from isolation :—
| Year | Cases notified (including Institutions) | Admitted to Ilford Isolation Hospital | "Return" Hospital Cases | Per Cent. | Home Cases | Cases arising in same house | Per Cent. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | 278 | 193 | 3 | 1.5 | 85 | 1 | 1.2 |
| 1945 | 225 | 166 | 7 | 4.2 | 57 | 1 | 1.7 |
| 1946 | 242 | 180 | 7 | 3.8 | 61 | 4 | 6.5 |
| 1947 | 201 | 144 | 4 | 2.8 | 57 | — | — |
| 1948 | 304 | 183 | 3 | 1.6 | 119 | 1 | .8 |