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
Chelsea 1953
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1953
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MEASLES
Five hundred and forty-nine notifications of Measles were received
in the Public Health Department during 1953, as compared with 355 and
669 in 1952 and 1951 respectively.
POLIOMYELITIS
Thirteen notifications of Poliomyelitis came to hand, only five of
which were subsequently confirmed; three of the cases were of a nonparalytic
type.
In 1952 there were 14 confirmed cases, and in 1951 one confirmed
case.
SCARLET FEVER
Forty-nine notifications of Scarlet Fever were received in the
Public Health Department during 1953, as compared with 61 in 1952.
DYSENTERY
During 1953, two hundred and sixty notifications were submitted as
compared with 139 in 1952 and 95 in 1951.
It must be stressed that 80% of the sufferers were residents of
institutions not controlled by this authority. The premises concerned
were such that it was difficult to prevent the spread of infection among
the particular type of inmates. Nevertheless the Borough Council has been
at great pains to bring about the eradication of the incidence of dysentery.