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 1953

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

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Table: It is most remarkable in studying the following table to note how the death rate has fallen during the past 10 years.

It is most remarkable in studying the following table to note how the death rate has fallen during the past 10 years.

193994,79093140.980.14600.67
194074,280125171.680.23730.97
194157,070138322.420.56741.30
194260,530164182.700.29641.06
194362,870117261.860.41600.96
194461,800113161.820.26470.76
194563,800149162.330.25530.83
194676,840173182.250.23560.73
194782,230171132.080.16670.82
194884,410112171.320.20620.73
194987,680118101.350.11530.61
195089,570126181.410.20500.56
195189,390124221.390.24400.44
195290,880101181.110.19420.46
195390,44086150.950.1529*0.32
*Deaths of Tuberculous patients from all causes.

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The continued use of the drugs Streptomycin, P.A.S. and Isoniazid
have made the treatment and cure of Tuberculosis much more
rapid and certain. Hospital and Sanatorium care is still, however,
the most important basis of treatment. There is now no appreciable
waiting list for admission to hospitals or sanatoria, but there is
unfortunately still some delay in obtaining thoracic surgery,
although this is much less than it was.

Table: General Statistics.

General Statistics.

No. of X-rays taken10,123
Total Patients' attendances10,578
No. of new patients examined1,497
No. of contacts examined for 1st time532
No. of Home Visits by Health Visitors3,421
No. of Home Consultations by Chest Physician216
No. of B.C.G. vaccinations65

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The above report refers only to the work in connection with
tuberculosis. The Chest Clinic is of course, concerned with the
diagnosis, treatment and management of all forms of chest disease
including asthma, bronchitis, cancer of the lung, industrial lung
diseases, and the various forms of pneumonia.