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 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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31
[1936
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Examinations numbering 2,382 were made, for the medical profession, of
sputum, of swabs from the throat, and of the blood of patients suspected to be
suffering from Tuberculosis, Diphtheria and Enteric Fever, respectively.
The number is a decrease of 168 on that of the preceding year and 429 below
the decennial average. Of the total examinations, 249, or 10.5 per cent., gave
positive results.
Tuberculosis.—544 specimens of sputum were examined, 50, or 9.2 per
cent. of which showed that the patients were suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
These are in addition to routine examinations at the two Tuberculosis Dispensaries.
Diphtheria.—1,828 specimens were examined for Diphtheria, of which 198
or 10.8 per cent., were found to be "positive."
Enteric Fever—10 specimens of blood were examined, 1 of which gave
a positive result.
DIPHTHERIA—PATHOGENICITY TESTS. 1936.
| No. of Swabs Submitted for Examination. | Negative Resu't. (Bacilli) | Positive Result. (Bacilli) | Non-Virulent. | Virulent. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| *Including one negative swab with suspicious bacilli tested for pathogenicity: | ||||
Showing the result of the Bacteriological Examinations
| Periods. | Diphtheria. | Enteric Fever. | Pulmonary Tuberculosis. | Totals. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive Results | Negative Results. | Total Examined. | Positive Results. | Negative Results. | Total Examined. | Positive Results. | Negative Results. | Total Examined. | ||
| 1926 | 183 | 1,501 | 1,684 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 148 | 691 | 839 | 2,535 |
| 1927 | 260 | 1,573 | 1,833 | 3 | 21 | 24 | 11 | 661 | 772 | 2,629 |
| 1928 | 276 | 1,478 | 1,754 | 4 | 32 | 36 | 137 | 723 | 860 | 2,650 |
| 1929 | 412 | 1,888 | 2,300 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 119 | 693 | 812 | 3,129 |
| 1930 | 492 | 2,274 | 2,766 | 1 | 18 | 19 | 127 | 652 | 779 | 3,564 |
| 1931 | 280 | 1,663 | 1,943 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 131 | 727 | 858 | 2,811 |
| 1932 | 238 | 1,746 | 1,984 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 111 | 684 | 795 | 2,793 |
| 1933 | 186 | 1,865 | 2,051 | 5 | 19 | 24 | 93 | 634 | 727 | 2,802 |
| 1934 | 268 | 1,846 | 2,114 | 1 | 21 | 22 | 97 | 522 | 619 | 2,755 |
| 1935 | 293 | 1,710 | 2,003 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 74 | 458 | 532 | 2,550 |
| Average 10 years | 289 | 1,744 | 2,033 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 115 | 644 | 759 | 2.811 |
| 1936 | 198 | 1,630 | 1,828 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 50 | 494 | 544 | 2,382 |
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF MILK.
During the year 1936, 14 samples of milk taken in various parts of the Borough
as supplied to the consumers and schools were tested bacteriologically, 8 of these
samples being Pasteurised Milk in course of delivery to schools, and 2 of Pasteurised
Milk in course of delivery to London County Council Institutions (St. Mary, Islington,
Hospital, and Islington Institution).
All the samples were tested for tubercle, and in no case was the bacillus
discovered. All the samples were examined for bacterial count, the majority of
them being generally satisfactory. One sample of Grade A (Tuberculin Tested)
Milk showed the presence of coliform bacillus.