London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Camberwell 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.

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The following table shows the monthly incidence of the deaths from enteritis for the year 1937.

Jan.Feb.Mar.AprilMayJuneJulyAug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Total
1345222554639

Influenza.
Since influenza is not a notifiable disease it is not possible to
obtain precise information as to its prevalence except by inference
from the number of deaths and the notifications of its complication,
pneumonia.
During 1937 there were 72 deaths in the Borough from this
disease. Fortunately the type was not severe, and complications
were not frequent. Of these deaths 52 occurred in the first month
of the year when influenza was present in epidemic proportions.

The following table gives the age distribution of the persons who died from influenza in 1937:—

Under 25 yrs.25-35 yrs.35-45 yrs.45-55 yrs.55-65 yrs.65-75 yrs.Over75
4257111726

It will be seen that most of the deaths occurred in the age
groups over 55 years.
A leaflet on this disease is distributed from the Public Health
Department outlining suggestions for adoption as a means of
preventing attacks of this illness, namely, the avoidance of stuffy
atmospheric conditions, the necessity for not mixing with other
persons once the prodromal malaise has appeared, and the importance
of not returning to work immediately after the temperature becomes
normal.
New Disinfecting Station.
It is satisfactory to report that building operations are proceeding
on the new disinfecting and disinfestation stations at Peckham
Park Road Depot.
The new building which will house the two services under one
roof will be provided with up-to-date accommodation and equipment
to replace the existing disinfecting and cleansing stations which
have outlived the period of their useful life, and which possess all
the disadvantages of limitation of space, bad arrangement, and
obsolete equipment.
The features of the new Station comprise accommodation for a
disinfecting station divided into infected and disinfected sides, a
formalin chamber, hair-Washing room, bathrooms and dressing