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
Deptford 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford, Metropolitan Borough of]
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66
Towards the end of the year, there were some indications that the
expected epidemic had commenced.
| No. of Deaths. | Percentage of total Deaths. | Death.rate per 1,000 population | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average 1915-1924 | 24 | 1.5 | 0.22 |
| 1925-1929 | 13 | 0.9 | 0.11 |
| 1930 | 3 | 0.2 | 0.03 |
| 1931 | 11 | 0.9 | 0.10 |
| 1932 | 9 | 0.7 | 0.09 |
| 1933 | 9 | 0.7 | 0.09 |
It cannot be too strongly urged that good nursing and the keeping
of the child in a warm, well.ventilated room for a sufficient period still
remain our most effective means of warding off the risk of pneumonia
which so frequently leads up to death.
Bacteriological Facilities.
The Council's general bacteriological work is conducted at the
Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich, while sputum for tubercle bacilli is
ordinarily examined at the Tuberculosis Dispensary.
1 he following is a summary of the work done:—
| Material. | Number Positive. | Number Negative. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swabs for Diphtheria | 149 | 964 | 1113 |
| Sputum for Tuberculosis | 9 | 36 | 45 |
| Blood for Enteric Fever | — | 3 | 3 |
| Urine for T.B. | — | 1 | 1 |
| Stool for Enteric | 1 | — | 1 |
| Stool for occult blood | 1 | — | 1 |
| Post nasal swab for Meningococcus | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Effluent from sewer | — | 1 | 1 |
| Swimming bath water | 6 | — | 6 |
*Note.—Other examinations are reported under " Food."