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
Greenwich 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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9
Food poisoning.
There were three cases of suspected food poisoning notified
during the year. The usual routine investigations were made regarding
the possible source of infection; in two of the cases there was
no evidence as to a definite source of food poisoning and the
patients quickly recovered. In the remaining case, an elderly man
engaged on War-damage repairs, the illness was of a more serious
nature and he eventually died in hospital, the cause being returned
as Acute Enteritis, B. Aertryche. As often occurs in cases of
this nature, the patient delayed seeking medical advice, with the
result that a week elapsed before the Department could pursue any
enquiries,. It was known, however, that the last meal deceased had
partaken before the illness occurred, was at a wayside cafe.
No further cases of illness were reported, and it may be assumed
that the cause could in no way be connected with the cafe.
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The total number of infectious diseases notified, excluding
Tuberculosis, was 1,268 as compared with 2,184 for the previous
year. Scabies, which was added to the list of infectious diseases
notifiable on the Ist August, 1943, was responsible for 405.
The following table shows the age period of cases notified:-
| Disease. | Under 1 year. | 1-5 years. | 5 yrs. & upwards. | Total. | No.admit ted to Hp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | – | 19 | 40 | 59 | 59 |
| Dysohtery | – | 2 | 6 | 8 | 7 |
| Erysipelas | – | 1 | 14 | 15 | 10 |
| Scarlet Fever | – | 36 | 93 | 129 | 119 |
| Puerperal Fever | – | – | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Puerperal Pyrexia | – | – | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Cerebro-spinal Fever | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Measles | 16 | 140 | 174 | 330 | 34 |
| Whooping Cough | 23 | 75 | 56 | 154 | 29 |
| Diarrhoea | 17 | 8 | – | 25 | 23 |
| Ophthalmia Neonatorum | 3 | – | – | 3 | 2 |
| Scabies | 11 | 48 | 346 | 405 | – |
| Pneumonia, Acute Primary or Acute Influenzal | 2 | 19 | 99 | 120 | 74 |
| TOTALS | 76 | 350 | 842 | 1268 | 376 |
Diphtheria Immunisation.
Facilities for diphtheria immunisation are available in the
Borough either by arrangement with the Seamen's Hospital or through
local Medical Practitioners. In addition, inoculations are carried
out at the London County Council Schools by the School Medical
Officer.
Toxoid Antitoxin Floccules is the antigen given at the Seamen's
Hospital and three inoculations are considered necessary, whilst
under the London County Council and local Medical Practitioners'
schemes, two only of Alum Precipitated Toxoid are required.