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
Kensington 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough.
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72
investigate the source of supply, but the particulars given were not
sufficient to enable the source of infection to be traced.
Specimens submitted by contacts were negative.
Puerperal Pyrexia
During 1962 the number of cases of this disease notified
was 103, of whom 67 were persons normally resident outside Kensington.
All but one of these cases occurred in hospital.
In order to show some perspective in reviewing the incidence of puerperal pyrexia (defined as any febrile condition occurring in a woman in whom a temperature of 100.4°F. or more has occurred within fourteen days after childbirth or miscarriage), the following table gives an analysis of the causes of pyrexia in the notified cases:-
| Cause | No. of cases | |
|---|---|---|
| Breast infections | 16 | |
| Respiratory infections:- | ||
| Upper | 9 | |
| Lower | 1 | 10 |
| Urinary Infection | 27 | |
| Pyrexia associated with abnormal delivery:- | ||
| (a) A.R.M. or Forceps | 1 | |
| (b) Caesarian section | 1 | 2 |
| Genital tract infections | 6 | |
| Coryza | 5 | |
| Influenza | 4 | |
| Thrombo-Phlebitis | 3 | |
| Causes unknown after investigation | 30 | |
| Total: | 103 | |
In addition to the above, information was received concerning
^5 patients normally resident in Kensington, who were notified as
suffering from puerperal pyrexia in other London districts.
No death occurred under this heading.
Pneumonia
There are various forms of pneumonia, but the only types
notifiable are (i) acute primary, and (ii) acute influenzal pneumonia.
During the year 20 notifications were received, 12 being acute primary
pneumonia and 8 being acute influenzal pneumonia.
The number of deaths from pneumonia (all forms) was 109,
and the number of deaths from influenza was 13 during 1962.
Dysentery
Fifty-seven cases of dysentery were notified during 1962, all
of which were bacillary in origin, the majority being due to the Sonne
bacillus. Generally speaking, the cases were of a mild type and there
were no deaths. Eleven of these patients were treated in hospital.
Erysipelas
Seven cases were notified during the year; six were treated
at home, and one was admitted to hospital. There were no deaths.