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
Bermondsey 1915
Report on the sanitary condition of the Borough of Bermondsey for the year 1915
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TABLE M.
| Nature of Specimen. | Total Examinations. | Results of Examination. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive. | Negative. | |||||
| 1914. | 1915. | 1914. | 1915. | 1914. | 1915. | |
| Diphtheria (specimens taken by Medical Officer of Health) | 361 | 326 | 18 | 15 | 343 | 311 |
| Ditto (taken by general practitioners) | 327 | 259 | 72 | 41 | 255 | 218 |
| Diphtheria (total specimens taken) | 688 | 585 | 90 | 56 | 598 | 529 |
| Phthisis | 386 | 321 | 82 | 92 | 304 | 229 |
| Enteric | 7 | 9 | – | 6 | 7 | 3 |
| Various | 6 | 4 | 3 | – | 3 | 4 |
| Total specimens taken | 1087 | 919 | 175 | 154 | 912 | 765 |
The total number of specimens examined was somewhat less
than in the previous year. I have always been accustomed to have
one or two of the clerical members of the staff trained to assist in the
laboratory, but as practically all the clerical staff joined early in the
year, the whole work of the laboratory has devolved on me personally.
This takes up a considerable amount of time, but has enabled
me to effect several improvements in its administration and equipment.