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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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Diphtheria.
Four cases of diphtheria were notified; three were patients in
Queen Mary's Hospital and one a local girl of 12 years. Incidence was
as follows:—
All cases 0.06 per 1,000 population
Residents 0.01 per 1,000 population.
The case of the resident was clinically a mild tonsilitis, but her
throat swab showed a positive "gravis" infection and the persistence
of this accounted for her protracted stay of three months in isolation
hospital.
The incidence of diphtheria among the resident population since 1934, the year before immunisation was first practised in the district, was as follows:—
| Year | Cases | Incidence per 1,000 Population | Year | Cases | Incidence per 1,000 Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 66 | 1.73 | 1941 | 0.45 | |
| 1935 | 58 | 1.13 | 1942 | 23 | 0.40 |
| 1936 | 53 | 0.95 | 1943 | 7 | 0.12 |
| 1937 | 47 | 0.80 | 1944 | 7 | 0.12 |
| 1938 | 33 | 0.57 | 1945 | 15 | 0.27 |
| 1939 | 14 | 0.23 | 1946 | 4 | 0.06 |
| 1940 | 45 | 0.77 | 1947 | 2 | 0.03 |
| 1948 | 1 | 0.01 |
The number of swabs examined for diphtheria during the year
was 82.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
As a result of the National Health Service Act, the responsibility
for diphtheria immunisation was transferred to the County Council on
5th July, 1948. By agreement between the County and District
Councils, this work has continued to be directed by the District Councils'
Medical Officers of Health and there has, in consequence, been no
dislocation of the administrative arrangements which have proved so
successful in the past.
Immunisation is available at all the infant welfare clinics and the
arrangement previously established, whereby the general practitioners
participate in the scheme on payment, was continued after 4th July,
but the co-operation of the practitioners is being prejudiced by the
long delay in deciding the payment to be made under the new arrangements.
This question has now been outstanding for more than a year,
during which time the practitioners have received no fees.
Every other term, a programme of immunisation sessions is arranged
in the primary schools of the district, where children not previously
immunised can be treated, and where reinforcing injections
are given after an interval of three years.
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