London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hammersmith 1915

Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health of the Borough of Hammersmith for the year 1915

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37
infected with spores of the anthrax bacillus and the
theory put forward at the inquest proved, Unused
brushes from the same supply were found to be
similarly infected, Some were traced to Hammersmith
and were seized on my instructions, Several of
these were found to be infected, and were destroyed,
Much credit is due to Dr, Elworthy, the pathologist
of the West London Hospital, for his investigations and
their results, Personally I cannot speak too highly of
the great care he took in carrying out these experiments,
the details of which I was able to follow day by day,
The results obtained are of great value to public
health, as showing a new source of danger from anthrax,
Since the result of these investigations have been made
known, other cases have been discovered, and many
consignments of infected shaving brushes and hair
intended for their manufacture have been seized and
destroyed,
HYDROPHOBIA,
No case was reported as due to hydrophobia last
year, against no case in the previous year,
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM,
Twenty.three cases were reported as due to
ophthalmia neonatorum, against 30 cases in the previous
year, The cases reported last year were treated : 16
at the homes of the patients, 1 at the Western
Ophthalmic Hospital, 1 at the Hammersmith Infirmary,
and 5 at the West London Hospital,
ACUTE POLIO.MYELITIS,
Eight cases were reported as due to polio-myelitis,
against 1 case in the previous year, Six cases were
treated at the West London Hospital, 1 at the Women's
Hospital for Children, Harrow Road, and 1 by private
medical practitioner at home,