London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hampstead 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hampstead Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
12
Bacteriological Examinations
(Infectious Diseases.)
On 1st January, 1950, a new arrangement for the examination of
bacteriological specimens came into force. This work, which had
previously been carried out by the Laboratories of Pathology and Public
Health, 6, Harley Street, W.1, was transferred to the Central Public
Health Laboratory, Colindale.
The record of examinations carried out during the year is as follows:—
| Diphtheria Bacilli found | Nil |
| Hæmolytic Streptococci found | 31 |
| Vincent's Angina organisms found | 6 |
| Negative | 88 |
| Shigella found | 3 |
| Salmonella found | 1 |
| Negative | 36 |
| T.B. found | 2 |
| Other organisms found | 2 |
| Negative | 2 |
| H. pertussis found | 1 |
| Negative | 3 |
Food Poisoning
42 cases of food poisoning were notified, 24 of which occurred in an
outbreak at one of our local hospitals. Of the remaining 18 cases the
agent causing illness was identified in 4 instances, but was unknown in
14 cases.
| Number of houses or parts of houses and contents disinfected | 671 |
| Number of verminous rooms disinfested | 294 |
Cleansing and Disinfection of Verminous Persons
and their Belongings
The following cleansings and medicinal baths were carried out at
the Borough Council Cleansing Centre, during the year, where 27 adults
and 17 children received treatment:—
Verminous conditions:—
Adults 14
Children under 5 2
Children over 5 6
Scabies:—
Adults 36
Children under 5 8
Children over 5 12
During the year, 294 verminous rooms in 162 houses were cleansed
and freed from vermin.