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
City of London 1919
Report of the Medical Officer of Health of the City of London for the year 1919
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21
TUBERCULOSIS.
I have already referred to the probability that the number of cases of tuberculosis
reported in the City is higher than is actually a fact, and from the table on
page 22 it will be observed that 19 new cases of tuberculosis were reported,
and that of those, 16 were of the pulmonary variety and three non-pulmonary.
These cases have been visited as in the past and assistance has been rendered
where practicable.
On the whole it will be seen that the Tuberculosis Dispensary established
by the Corporation at St. Bartholomew's Hospital has been of considerable utility,
and I submit herewith a report which has been prepared by Dr. Gibbins, Tuberculosis
Officer, giving full details.
TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.—The Tuberculosis Dispensary has been
open for the reception of new patients and for the attendance of old cases on Tuesdays
and Fridays from 12.30 to 2.30 and on Thursdays from 6 to 7 ; also for the
attendance of old cases on Mondays from 5 to 7. In all, the Dispensary has been
open 203 times during the year.
NEW PATIENTS.—The number of persons, including contacts, who were examined for the first time at or in connection with the Dispensary, was 237, divided thus :—
| Diagnosed as Suffering from Tuberculosis. | Diagnosed as Not Suffering from Tuberculosis. | Undiagnosed. | Total Number Examined. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Still under Observation. | Not still under Observation. | Insured. | Uninsured. | ||||
| Residents | 15 | 41 | 3 | .... | 19 | 40 | |
| Non-residents— Working in the City | 20 | 31 | 4 | .... | 33 | 22 | |
| Not working in the City | 58 | 56 | 4 | 5 | 54 | 69 | |
| 93 | 128 | 11 | 5 | 106 | 131 | ||
| 237 | 237 | ||||||
Persons diagnosed as suffering from Tuberculosis may be thus classified :—
| Residents. | Non-Residents. | Totals. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working in City | Not working in City. | |||
| Disease of the Lungs | 12 | 20 | 46 | 78 |
| Disease of other organs (lungs not apparently affected) | 3 | 12 | 15 | |
Many of the persons diagnosed as not suffering from Tuberculosis were found
to be suffering from other diseases, for which they were advised to seek treatment
elsewhere.
The undiagnosed cases are thus accounted for :—
Residents:—
All are still under observation.
Non-residents working in City:—
All are still under observation.
Non-residents not working in City :—
4 are still under observation.
2 were referred to the Dispensaries of the areas in which they reside.
1 was advised to return to his home in the country.
2 have ceased to attend in spite of letters requesting them to do so.
Applicants unconnected with the City either as residents or workers were
examined, and if found to be suffering from Tuberculosis, the fact was notified to
the Medical Officer of Health of the area in which they resided. Treatment was
continued to be given until arrangements had been made for their treatment