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

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Finsbury 1963

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

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SECTION F
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
General:
The general incidence of Infections throughout the year was low
apart from a considerable outbreak of a mild form of Dysentery which,
however, did not give rise to any serious concern.
For the third year in succession there were no cases of poliomyelitis.
There were no cases of Smallpox either at the time of outbreak in
other centres or at any other time during the year.
All cases are visited by the Nurse visitor,and general advice has
been given on the precautions that need to be taken in its control,
letters from the Medical Officer of Health setting out some of the principle
points being delivered by her. Detailed enquiries are made as well as
arrangements for the examination of contacts, and their exclusion as
well as the patient from school or work where appropriate. In the
occasional case where it may be desirable to exclude a contact from work,
the appropriate certificate under the National Insurance Act is given.
These visits are of considerable value in limiting the spread of
infections,and are in the main,greatly appreciated both by the Doctors
and the patients or their parents. In some cases where it may appear
to the Visitor that further medical treatment is necessary, the calling
in of medical advice has been recommended.
In 1963, 2,360 visits were paid by the Nurse Visitor.

The following table shows the incidence of notifiable diseases in 1963:-

All AgesUnder 1 yr1-4 yrs5- 14 yrs15-24 yrs25-44 yrs45-64 yrs65-Cases Treated in Hospital
Measles398202311404325
Dysentery31839114510598225
Pood Poisoning306646535
Scarlet Fever4311263314
Whooping Cough375191310
Gastro Enteritis26161011
AcPneum onia4714424131934
Erysipelas6512
Ophthalmia Ne onatorum442