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

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Deptford 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford Borough]

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11
The lessons learned from this outbreak were first of all, that the large
number of children already protected in the school undoubtedly prevented
many clinical cases developing. Secondly, it emphasised the necessity for
a painstaking and thorough search for potential sources of infection.
Positive carriers were removed to isolation hospitals literally within an
hour of receiving the laboratory report, and I am satisfied that this early
removal of potential sources of infection from the community contributed
materially to the damping down of the outbreak.
Tuberculosis
All new cases in the Borough, whether or not they are transferred from
other areas, are visited by the Public Health Inspectors in order to ascertain
the housing condition and to see if any improvements can, or should,
be effected.

Tuberculosis Register

PulmonaryNon-Pulmonary
MFTotalMFTotal
Cases notified for the first time544397213
Posthumous notifications11
New cases in Borough coming to knowledge otherwise than by primary notification351550

I am indebted to the Chest Physician, Dr. J. P. V. Rigby, for the following
report concerning the Chest Clinic at Harton Street, which is of great
interest:—
Cases on Chest Clinic Register at 31.12.61:—
Definite 1,058
Observation 36
Number of new contacts examined 346
Total attendance at the Chest Clinic 5,951

TUBERCULOSIS CARE COMMITTEE

Interviews by Secretary706
Cases assisted by Care Committee20
Sums raised by Christmas Seal Sale, 1961£6813s.7d.

" It will be noticed that the total number of attendances at the Deptford
Chest Clinic remains relatively high. A decline may have been expected
owing to the known greater efficacy of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis
these days. The greater availability of out-patient treatment however,
does itself tend to make for increased attendances. In other words, the