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
Sutton and Cheam 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton and Cheam]
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In 1955 four hundred and seventy eight babies under the
age of one year were vaccinated.. The percentage of 53.5 compares
with 54.3 in 1954 and 53.3 in 1953.
The following table shows the number of vaccinations during
1955.
| Age | Number Vaccinated | Number Re-Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | 478 | - |
| 1 | 34 | 2 |
| 2 | 7 | 2 |
| 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 4 | 1 | 4 |
| 5-9 | 10 | 9 |
| 10-14 | 15 | 9 |
| Over 15 | 39 | 132 |
| Totals | 588 | 160 |
Puerperal Pyrexia Nineteen cases were notified in 1955,
compared with fifteen in 1954. The revised definition of
Puerperal Pyrexia in the Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations, 1951,
made notifiable "any febrile condition occurring in a woman, in
whom a temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Centigrade) or more
has occurred within fourteen days after child birth or miscarriage."
The early notification of Puerperal Pyrexia is of primary
importance in the prevention of maternal mortality. Medical
practitioners should make the fullest use of the consultant,
bacteriological and hospital services and ensure the effective
isolation of any case of suspected infection occurring in a maternity
or nursing home.
Dysentery. Five cases were notified in 1955, compared with
twenty four cases in 1954 The small number of notified cases
is satisfactory but Sonne Dysentery is endemic and is very liable
to become epidemic. The routine bacteriological examination of
cases of obscure diarrhoea helps to reveal sources of infection
and to establish control over infectious patients and contacts,
some of whom may be involved in the handling of food. Dysentery
spreads quickly from contamination of the hands. Objects are
soiled by touch, Infection is passed from hand to hand. Food
may be infected. Prevention lies in the washing of hands after'
use of the W. C.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever, No case was notified, A
woman, aged forty one years, a cook, was found to be a chronic
carrier of Salmonella Paratyphosus B Type I, and was required
by notice under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations,
1953. to refrain from engaging in any occupation connected
with the preparation and handling of food or drink for human
consumption. An attempt to clear the infection by intensive
treatment with penicillin and Benemid failed. The infection
persists Compensation is being paid in accordance with the
Regulations.
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