Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough.
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76
The investigations only covered patients newly notified or
transferring into the borough from other areas. The total of 229
cases surveyed differs from the total of tuberculosis patients visited
in the year. The difference consisted of old cases changing
residence within the borough.
In 1951, a full survey was not made, but it was estimated
that 20 per cent of the tuberculous patients visited for the first
time in that year were immigrants who contracted the disease within
ten years of arrival in this country.
A more accurate investigation in the following years indicated that, of the new cases and "inward transfers" reported in the borough, the proportions who were immigrants contracting the disease in the first ten years of arrival, were as follows:-
Year | Proportion Per cent. |
---|---|
1952 | 16 |
1953 | 10 |
1954 | 16 |
1955 | 17 |
1956 | 15 |
1957 | 16 |
1958 | 23 |
1959 | 20 |
I960 | 20 |
1961 | 11 |
1962 | 20 |
This year, 44 per cent. (1961-55 per cent.) of the
infected immigrants contracted the disease within one year of
arrival in this country; 69 per cent. (1961 - 69 per cent.) contracted
it within three years of arrival. Persons born in the
Republic of Ireland were regarded as immigrants for this purpose.
The 1961 Census figures showed that out of a total
Kensington population of 171,272, there were 40,470 residents (or
over 23 per cent.) who were born outside the British Isles.
Whooping Cough
Twenty-two cases were notified during the year, four of
which were treated in hospital. No death from this disease was
reported.