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

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Finsbury 1937

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

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154
All the cases are investigated by the Sanitary Inspectors and
the source, if possible, traced. The premises are inspected and if
any sanitary defects exist, a notice is served for their remedy.
The drains are carefully examined and if necessary tested for
defects.
Facilities for Early Diagnosis.—Arrangements can be
made for either the Medical Officer of Health or his assistant to
see, at the request of the private practitioner, suspected or
doubtful cases. Swabs are examined in the laboratory of the
Public Health Department. It is very unwise, however, to rely
on the result of a swab before administering anti-toxin. If a
practitioner is so suspicious as to suspect diphtheria the immediate
administration of anti-toxin should be undertaken. A negative
swab does not necessarily mean that the patient has not diphtheria
and a positive swab that he is suffering from diphtheria. The swab
cannot, and should not, replace diagnosis by clinical signs and
symptoms.
Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (Order), 1910.—A supply of antitoxin
is kept at the Health Department and is available for doctors
for the treatment of necessitous Finsbury patients free of charge.
Last year eight vials representing 24,000 units were issued
to the practitioners.
A fee of 5s. 0d. is also paid to medical men for administering
the anti-toxin between the hours of 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., and 2s. 6d.
at other hours.
The average length of stay in hospital of cases of diphtheria
last year was 72 days.
Cases of diphtheria discharged from hospital as cured are
examined very carefully shortly after their return home, and a
record kept of their condition. If necessary, swabs are taken from
the nose and throat for bacteriological examination. Any cases
suspected of harbouring the diphtheria bacillus in nose or throat
are kept under supervision by the Department and, if necessary,
referred for treatment at one of the special "carrier" clinics
mentioned below.