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
Carshalton 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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CHILDREN IMMUNISED IN SCHOOLS, 1938 (5-8 Years).
| Completed at year end | Not completed at year end | |
|---|---|---|
| St. Helier No. 6 Infants | 71 | 19 |
| St. Helier No. 7 ,, | 82 | 4 |
| St. Helier No. 8 „ | 78 | 3 |
| St. Helier No. 9 „ | 81 | 1 |
| St. Helier No. 10 ,, | 113 | 4 |
| Total | 425 | 31 |
Total persons immunised under the Scheme in 1938—609.
The immunisation scheme has now been established more than
4 years and 2739 children have been immunised up to the end of
1938. In table 23, which follows, the incidence of and mortality
from diphtheria in the immunised and unimmunised children of
the district during the 4-year period 1935—1938 is given. It will
be observed that this experience indicates that the chances of contracting
the disease are reduced by immunisation some 7 times
and the risk of a fatal termination is eliminated.
Some 3,000 persons die annually from diphtheria in England and
Wales, a mortality higher than that of women who die in childbirth—3,000
deaths which could be prevented safely, effectively
and at small cost if immunisation were universally practised.
Erysipelas.
Notifications were received in respect of 20 cases compared
with 13 in the year before.
The face was affected in 16 instances, the arm in one and the
leg in 3. Seven of the total were admitted to hospital. All recovered.
Pneumonia.
Respiratory infections were rather less prevalent. Ninety-seven
cases of pneumonia were notified, only 3 of which were stated to be
influenzal as against 30 due to influenza in the year before. Peak
periods occurred in March and December.
83