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 1938

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

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35
[1938
PUERPERAL FEVER AND PYREXIA.
(1) Puerperal Fever.—Of the 19 cases coming to the knowledge of the Medical
Officer of Health during 1938, 5 were notified by Private Practitioners. The proportion
of total cases to births was 4.12 per thousand. The notifications were 16 below
the average (35) of the preceding ten years and showed a decrease of 2.68 in the proportion
of attacks to 1,000 births.
Of the 19 cases, 18 were treated in hospitals, 11 having the "onset" there,
7 were subsequently removed to hospital, and 1 case was treated at home. Of those
treated in hospital 7 cases were dealt with in London County Council Infectious
Diseases Hospitals, and 11 in either St. Mary, Islington, Hospital, or other London
Hospitals.
Deaths.—5 deaths were registered as being due to Puerperal Fever.

Table: Table showing cases of Puerperal Fever in 1938.

Table showing cases of Puerperal Fever in 1938.

Tufnell.Upper Hollo-way.Toll-ington.Lower Hollo- way.Highbury.Barns-bury.South-East.The Borough
Cases notified621333119
Private Practitioners' Cases11–111—5
Hospital Cases511222114
Cases inquired into621333119
Cases treated in Hospital62—333118
Cases treated at Home——1————1

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(2) Puerperal Pyrexia.—There were 69 cases notified, as against 75 last year.
Of these, 12 were notified by Private Medical Practitioners, and the other 57 cases
by Hospitals. The notifications were in the proportion of 15.0 per 1,000 births.

Table: Table showing cases of Puerperal Pyrexia in 1938.

Table showing cases of Puerperal Pyrexia in 1938.

Tufnell.Upper Hollo-way.Toll-ington.Lower Hollo-way.Highbury.Barns-bury.South-East.The Borough
Cases notified8511612111669
Private Practitioners' Cases1–2222312
Hospital Cases75851091357
Cases inquired into8511612111669
Cases treated in Hospital857611101562
Cases treated at Home——311117

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OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM AND OPHTHALMIA.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum is an inflammatory disease with purulent discharge
occurring in the eyes of infants within three weeks of birth.
The following is a summary of cases :—
1938. 1937.
No. of Notified Cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum 39 34
No. of cases of Ophthalmia reported by London County
Council and Health Visitors 124 124