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
Islington 1915
Sixtieth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
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59
[1915
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
(Purulent Disease of the Eyes of Newly-born Children).
This inflammatory disease of the eyes of infants was notified in 40 instances,
of which 33 were forwarded by members of the medical profession, and 7 by
midwives, and as a result 24 cases were referred to hospitals for treatment,
while 16 were attended to in their homes, of which 20 were cared for by nurses.
There can be no doubt that this early notification has been of great benefit to the children, and will be the means of preventing much blindness among them.
| Tufnell. | Upper Hollowatf. | Tollington. | Lower Holloway. | Highbury. | Barnsbury. | Islington, South-East. | The Borough. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases notified by Doctor | 2 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 33 |
| „ „ by Midwife | 2 | — | — | _* | —* | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| Cases inquired into | 4 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 40 |
| ,, treated in Hospital | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 24 |
| „ treated at Home | 2 | 3 | — | 5 | — | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| ,, attended by Nurse | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | — | 1 | 7 | 20 |
*Two notifications were also received from midwives which had been notified by doctors.
Tuberculosis.
During the year 994 cases of Tuberculosis in its different forms were
notified. The attack-rate was equal to 3.14 per 1,000 of the civil population.
In 1914 the number was 1,150, and the attack-rate 3.54 per 1,000. Thus the
notable decrease in the notifications remarked on last year, when they were 533
less than in 1913, is again markedly continued in 1915; though to a much less
extent, viz.: 156.
Pulmonary Phthisis.—780 cases were ascribed to Pulmonary Phthisis,
of which 444 were males and 336 females, and represented an attack-rate
equal to 2.46 per 1,000 of the civil population. The cases notified during the
year were 180 less than in 1914, while they were 523 below the number
received in 1913.
The incidence of the disease was greatest in South-East Islington, where
258 cases were known. Barnsbury came next with 173 cases; Highbury
followed with 127 cases; while Tollington gave the lowest return with 87
cases. The particulars for each of the Sub-Registration Districts and the
Wards are given in the following Table:—