Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Report on the sanitary condition of the Borough of Bermondsey for the year 1932
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SHELTER.
Four flats are provided in The Neckinger for the temporary
housing of families or persons while their premises are being
disinfected. The number of families accommodated during the
year was 17, 7 for Small-pox, 3 for Diphtheria, 3 for Scarlet Fever,
and 4 for verminous conditions, the total number of persons
accommodated being 54.
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
As in previous years the work of the laboratory has consisted
very largely in the examination of sputa and throat swabs.
Many of the throat swabs are sent by general practitioners and
sterile outfits for this purpose are supplied free on application to
the Medical Officer of Health. All Diphtheria contacts of school
age are excluded from school until the throat swab is negative.
A positive result of course necessitates a further examination, and
treatment in the meantime by the private practitioner. Proved
"carriers" are usually referred to the London County Council
"Carriers" Clinic at Guy's Hospital.
In addition to the examination of swabs and sputa other bacteriological investigations are undertaken when requested.
Nature of Specimen | Total Examinations | Results of Examination | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Negative | Positive | |||||
1931 | 1932 | 1931 | 1932 | 1931 | 1932 | |
Diphtheria (specimens taken by Medical Officer of Health) | 798 | 496 | 89 | 23 | 709 | 473 |
Ditto (taken by general practitioners) | 1628 | 1390 | 198 | 119 | 1430 | 1271 |
Diphtheria (total specimens taken) | 2426 | 1886 | 287 | 142 | 2139 | 1744 |
Phthisis | 1897 | 1883 | 260 | 261 | 1637 | 1622 |
Various | 305 | 188 | 20 | 9 | 285 | 179 |
Total specimens taken | 4628 | 3957 | 567 | 412 | 4061 | 3545 |