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
Heston and Isleworth 1911
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]
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27
Three of the 25 cases notified occurred in public institutions,
and are therefore excluded from further consideration.
The following particulars as regards Hospital isolated and Home
isolated cases are presented in tabular form for purposes of
comparison.
| Hospital Isolated Cases. | Home Isolated Cases. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910. | 1911. | Total. | 1910. | 1911. | Total. | |
| Number of cases | 16 | 14 | 30 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
| ,, households affected | 11 | 13 | 24 | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| ,, households in which secondary cases occurred | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| ,, secondary cases in households ... | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The above table shews that during the two years 1910 and 1911,
40 households were invaded by Diphtheria. From 24 of these the
cases were removed to Hospital, and yet five secondary cases
occurred. In 16 instances, the cases were kept at home, and in
these only two secondary cases occurred. It must therefore be concluded
that removal to Hospital, while very valuable for purposes of
treatment in cases of Diphtheria of a severe type, is not the most
important factor in preventing the spread of the disease.
Anti-toxin. During 1910, the Council made arrangements for
providing Diphtheria Anti-toxin for the poorer inhabitants of the
district in accordance with an Order of the Local Government Board.
During the year 1911, Anti-toxin has been supplied in 52
instances to medical practitioners, and in 20 cases the Council has
paid the charges in accordance with the arrangements in force.