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13
1934
The M.O.H. Dr. J. Sullivan was sick and Dr.P.L.T. Bennett was Acting M.O.H.It is
interesting to note among the staff the names of two Public Health Inspectors who are
still active members of the department, Messrs. F.E. Walsh and F.C. Payne.
Infectious Diseases 473 cases of diphtheria were notified, and 30 deaths all under 13
years of age occurred from this serious disease.
This year was noteworthy for the start of the Borough's Diphtheria Immunisation
Clinic under that pioneer of diphtheria precaution Dr. Guy Bousfield.
Scarlet fever was also prevalent, no less than 691 cases occurring, fortunately
with only one death.
There were 2,967 cases of measles with 31 deaths.
Food & Food Premises The low standard of hygiene in food shops was criticised. The
report states "The public can assist materially by encouraging clean food shops and
discouraging any that are not obviously clean and hygienic."
1944
Dr. P.L.T. Bennett the M.O.H., had just succeeded Dr. J.A. Scott who was later to become
M.O.H. to the London County Council.
The report is brief and reports the staff of the department to be heavily committed
to Civil Defence activities and records that the Babies" Hospital in Broomhouse Lane
was hit by a flying-bomb and put out of action. Fortunately there were no casualties.
This year also saw the introduction by the L.C.C. of mass miniature radiography at St.
Luke's Hospital, Chelsea, for the early detection of pulmonary tuberculosis by means of
which nine cases of tuberculosis in Fulham residents were diagnosed.
Six day-nurseries were in operation with accommodation for a total of 315 children.
This report also mentions 79 visits paid by the lady Public Health Inspector to aged
and infirm and physically incapacitated persons.
925 persons were treated for scabies and 158 persons for head lice infestation.
1954
The M.O.H. was Dr. Mary I. Adams. There was an outbreak of typhoid fever involving 9
persons who fortunately all recovered. Control was complicated by a concurrent and
extensive outbreak of Sonne dysentery affecting more than 300 school children. The
probable cause of the typhoid was contamination by flooding from overflowing drains
following a freak storm.
The Beaver Report on Atmospheric Pollution was warmly welcomed. The services to
the elderly were being expanded and extended in scope.
Attention was drawn to the shortage of hospital beds for the chronic sick and the
aged, and a scheme for cooperation with Fulham Hospital, the health department assessing priority for these cases, was introduced.
The first suggestion that all W.Cs. in the public conveniences should be free is
reported, but it was felt public opinion was not ready for this and only an increased
proportion of W.Cs. was made "free?