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
Southwark 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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106
MEASLES.
The number of cases of this disease notified during the year was
2,398. Of these, 1,505 were under 5 years of age, and 555 were
removed to hospital.
137 of those over 5 were also removed to hospital.
All cases treated in their homes were visited by the Health
Visitors, who gave advice and instruction where necessary.
The number of deaths from Measles during the last five years were as follow:—
| 1928 | 72 |
| 1929 | 16 |
| 1930 | 77 |
| 1931 | 3 |
| 1932 | 53 |
DIARRHOEA.
In this Borough summer diarrhoea is notifiable during the months
of July, August and September, and in these three months 7 cases
were notified, 3 of which were removed to hospital.
Deaths from diarrhoea during the last 5 years were as follows:—
| 1928 | 31 |
| 1929 | 41 |
| 1930 | 24 |
| 1931 | 16 |
| 1932 | 40 |
34 of the 40 deaths occurred in children under 2 years of age.
As previously stated, all infant deaths and deaths from diarrhoea are
specially enquired into by the Health Visitors and recorded. Of the
34 infants who died, only 10 had attended one of the Welfare Centres,
and the reports, with few exceptions, indicate wrong feeding and
poor mothercraft.
WHOOPING COUGH.
Although this disease is not notifiable in the Borough, 83 cases
were removed to the hospital during the year. These cases come
to our notice either from the various hospitals or the local Medical
Practitioners.