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
Holborn 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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Influenza.
There were 12 deaths from influenza in comparison with 13 in 1931, 1 in 1930,
44 in 1929, 3 in 1928, 20 in 1927, 8 in 1926, 9 in 1925, and 11 in 1924. The deaths
were of eight males and four females. Of the 12 three were above 65 years of age.
Anthrax.
No case of anthrax was notified in the Borough during the year.
Chicken-pox.
This disease is not notifiable, but during the year 1932 we received information
of 189 cases. These were visited and where necessary kept under observation until
the possibility of the case being one of smallpox had passed.
Mumps.
Information was received from school teachers and others of 19 cases
of mumps.
Bacteriological Work.
The following table gives details of the examinations made during the year:—
| Diphtheria | Pulmonary Tuberculosis | Other Diseases | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Submitted | Result of Examination | Number Submitted | Result of Examination | Number Submitted | Result of Examination. |
| 351 | Bacilli not found 290 | 62 | Bacilli not found 62 | 3 | 2 Ringworm positive |
| Diphtheria bacilli found 61 | |||||
| Vincent's organisms found 9 | Bacilli found 10 | 1 Malaria positive | |||
Disinfections.
During the year 544 rooms and 4,985 articles of bedding, clothing, etc., were
disinfected after various infectious diseases, inclusive of tuberculosis.
Fifty-three rooms and 414 articles of bedding, clothing, etc., were disinfected
after tuberculosis.
Special attention is devoted to toys and more particularly to any toy put in
the mouth. One hundred and thirty-two books and 21 toys were disinfected.
The disinfections also included five lockers, and nine hospital wards.
Cleansing of Persons Act.
During the year 332 persons (316 men and 16 women) infested with vermin
had their bodies and 2,217 articles of clothing disinfested, free of charge, at our
cleansing station (Goldsmith Street).