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
Fulham 1914
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1914
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TABLE II. Sex and Age of New Patients for 1914.
| under 5 | 5-10 | 10-15 | 15-25 | 25-35 | 35-45 | 45 and Over | All ages. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | 53 | 125 | 65 | 42 | 26 | 34 | 31 | 376 |
| Females | 67 | 105 | 68 | 57 | 89 | 58 | 50 | 494 |
| Both Sexes | 120 | 230 | 133 | 99 | 115 | 92 | 81 | 870 |
55.5 per cent, of the patients were under 15 years of age.
THE DISPENSARY AS A CENTRE OF DIAGNOSIS.
Differential diagnosis has been greatly assisted by the
increased facilities for X-ray, laryngoscopic and laboratory
work, especially the bacteriological and cytological examination
of sputum, exudates, and discharges, and the more frequent
examination of the blood. Patients suffering from aneurism,
malignant tumour of the mediastinum, sarcoma of the lung,
cancer of the stomach, diabetes and bacillus coli infection
of the bladder have presented themselves for examination as
possible consumptives.
The use of the tuberculin test has been of some assistance,
especially in potential cases of tuberculosis, but its findings
cannot be relied on for differentiating between an active and a
passive lesion.
The subcutaneous test which was employed in 174 cases in
1913 and 72 cases in 1914 is far too sensitive for the latter
purpose, but a negative result is of some significance.
The cutaneous test which was used in 468 cases in 1913
and 387 in 1914 is not so sensitive and a positive result is of
some value, especially in children suffering from gland and bone