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 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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48
Diphtheria.
We received notifications relating to 60 cases of diphtheria occurring in
residents in the Borough.
All were removed to hospital.
| 0—1 | 1—5 | 5—15 | 15—35 | 35—45 | 45—65 | 65 upwards | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | 22 | 18 | — | 1 | 1 | 60 |
Three deaths occurred. Seven of the notified cases were returned from
hospital certified as not suffering from diphtheria.
Secondary clinical cases were two in number; details follow: —
| Primary Case | Age | Date notified | Secondary Case | Age | Date notified | Remarks e.g. Character of Premises |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G. N | 20 | 19/7/1936 | G. D. | 21 | 22/7/1936 | Tenement house |
| M. H. | 7½ | 2/10/1936 | J. H. | 3 | 2/10/1936 | Flat in dwellings |
There was no "return" case, i.e., no secondary case was notified from any
family within four weeks after the return home of a primary case.
In London, 7,030 cases were notified, giving rise to 226 deaths.
There is co-operation with the Medical Superintendents of the Fever Hospitals
serving the County of London; and information is exchanged as to bacteriological
and other details; and also with regard to return cases of diphtheria or scarlet
fever.
Diphtheria in Hospitals.
Information was received of 76 cases of diphtheria occurring among inpatients
and staff at two hospitals in the Borough.
The information was obtained from the notifications of removal received from
the London County Council, or from the ordinary notification certificates furnished
by the doctors diagnosing the disease.
Of the 76 cases, 70 were clinical cases (29 were notified "nasal"). Of the
total number, seven notifications related to Holborn residents, all being members
of the resident medical or nursing staff. Sixty-nine were in-patients admitted from
areas outside the Holborn Borough. Copies of the notifications of these cases if
sent to the Holborn Public Health Department are forwarded to the Medical
Officers of Health of the districts from which the patients are admitted.