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

Islington 1935

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

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Table: DIPHTHERIA—PATHOGENICITY TESTS.1935.

DIPHTHERIA—PATHOGENICITY TESTS.

1935.

No. of Swabs Submitted for Examination.Negative Result. (Bacilli)Positive Result. (Bacilli)Non-Virulent.Virulent.
3527*82—

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* 6 not tested for Pathogenicity.

Table: Showing the result of theBacteriological Examinationsmade for theDiagnosisofDiphtheria, Enteric FeverandPulmonary Tuberculosis,1925-34, and in 1935.

Showing the result of theBacteriological Examinationsmade for theDiagnosisofDiphtheria, Enteric FeverandPulmonary Tuberculosis,1925-34, and in 1935.

Periods.Diphtheria.Enteric Fever.Pulmonary Tuberculosis.% Totals.
Positive ResultsNegative Results.Total Examined.Positive Results.Negative Results.Total Examined.Positive Results.Negative Results.Total Examined.
19252321,6181,850212141607629222,786
19261831,5011,63439121486918392,535
19272601,5731,833321241116617722,629
19282761,4781,754432361377238602,650
19294121,8882,300215171196938123,129
19304922,2742,766118191276527793,564
19312801,6631,94328101317278582,811
19322381,7461,98459141116847952,793
19331861,8652,05151924936347272,802
19342681,8462,11412122975226192,755
Average 10 years2821,7452,027316191236757982,844
19352931,7102,00331215744585322,550

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BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF MILK.
During the year 1935, 33 samples of milk taken in various parts of the Borough
as supplied to the consumers and schools were tested bacteriologically, 15 of these
samples being Pasteurised Milk in course of delivery to schools, and 4 of Pasteurised
Milk in course of delivery to a London County Council Hospital (St. Mary, Islington,
Hospital).
All the samples were tested for tubercle, and in three cases the bacillus was
discovered. A pasteurising plant was found to be defective in two of these cases,
and the third was a sample of untreated milk; the three samples were obtained
from the same dairy. Immediate action was taken, with the result that the firm
ceased to carry on business in Islington. Twentyseven of the samples were
examined for bacterial count, the majority of them being generally satisfactory.
Three of the samples were tested for enteric organisms and were found to be free.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION IN CASES OF PUERPERAL
SEPSIS.
During the year one swab was submitted, which was examined with a negative
result.
SPECIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Most of the work under this heading was in connection with alleged food
poisoning, and the Ministry of Health Laboratory gave us very considerable help
by examining samples submitted to them. In addition, examinations were made
of specimens submitted by practitioners in cases of suspected cerebro-spinal