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
Holborn 1922
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1922
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47
In connection with this subject I submitted a report to the Public Health
Committee on the securing of effective medical treatment of venereal diseases,
especially directed towards the advisability of initiating legislation requiring those
who commenced their treatment in V.D. Clinics to complete the same.
Botulism.
No case of botulism in the Borough of Holborn was brought to my notice.
Cases, however, occurred in the country. In consequence of these and with a
view to meeting any possible outbreak the Ministry of Health arranged for a supply
of an anti-toxin serum. I forwarded the information to all medical practitioners
in the district, giving details respecting the symptoms of the disease, the
administration of anti toxin and the necessity for the early application thereof
in any suspected case.
Bacteriological Work. The following Table gives details of the examinations made during the year: —
| Diphtheria | Enteric Fever | Consumption | Other Diseases | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Submitted | Result of Examination | Number Submitted | Result of Examination | Number Submitted | Result of Examination | Number Submitted | Result of Examination |
| 572 | 377 bacilli not found | Negative | 81 | 71 bacilli not found | 3 | 3 Negative | |
| 175 bacilli found | Positive | 10 bacilli found | 0 Positive | ||||
Disinfections.
During the year 389 rooms and 3,991 articles of bedding, clothing, etc., were
disinfected after various infectious diseases.
Twenty nine disinfections were carried out after tuberculosis.
Special attention is devoted to toys and more particularly to any toy put in
the mouth These latter are as a rule destroyed.
In addition to the above, 3,513 articles of bedding, clothing, etc., were
disinfected at the request of the Medical Officer of Health of Finsbury, during
repairs to the disinfecting apparatus in that Borough.
Arrangements were also made at the request of two firms for the disinfection
at the cost of such firms, of a large quantity of second-hand clothing, prior to
exportation to South Africa; 307,214 articles were so disinfected and certificates
given. Payment for this work was made amounting to £199.
Cleansing of Persons Act.
During the year 120 persons (113 men and 7 women) infested with vermin
had their bodies and 1,232 articles of clothing disinfected. free of charge, at our
cleansing station Goldsmith Street.