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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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19
Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations 1930.
The total number of cases of tuberculosis on the Register as at 31st December,
1948, was—
Pulmonary— Males 1,154
Females 938
Non-Pulmonary—Males 158
Females 151
2,401
Work of Tuberculosis Dispensaries.
In consequence of the National Health Service Act, the Tuberculosis Dispensaries
and staff at the Royal Northern and Royal Chest Hospitals were transferred to the
Regional Hospital Board as from 5th July, 1948. It is satisfactory to note, however,
that Dr. J. Wallace Craig, Senior Tuberculosis Physician, continues to be responsible
for the two Dispensaries which still serve the population of Islington.
I am indebted to the Divisional Health Office, London County Council for the following figures to 31st December, 1948.
| To 5th July | To 31st Dec. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Attendances | 4,678 | 2,956 | 9,449 | 6,003 |
| New cases and contacts examined | 1,337 | 920 | 2,708 | 1,740 |
| Number of visits by Tuberculosis Officers | 116 | 91 | 236 | 210 |
| Number of visits by Nurses | 421 | 312 | 827 | 598 |
Dispensary Registers.
| Pulmonary | Non-Pulmonary | Total | Grand Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | Children | Adults | Children | Adults | Children | ||||||||
| Number of definite cases of tuberculosis on Dispensary Registers at 5th July | 844 | 735 | 95 | 69 | 71 | 74 | 34 | 47 | 915 | 809 | 129 | 116 | 1,969 |
| At 31st December | 967 | 752 | 88 | 70 | 64 | 78 | 33 | 41 | 931 | 830 | 121 | 111 | 1,993 |
Mass X-Ray Campaign.
During the latter part of 1948 information was received from the Mass X-Ray
Unit of the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board regarding examinations
carried out by them at St. Mary, Islington, Hospital from 15th November to the end
of December.
The Public Health Department were requested to co-operate by giving local
publicity and arranging with firms and bodies employing staffs for the attendance of
those who desired to be examined. Three open sessions for the public were also
arranged by the Unit in December, and the Department assisted in giving publicity
to this new venture, so far as Islington is concerned.
From the figures given by the Unit, it is clear that this was the most successful
Mass X-ray campaign so far held in the Borough. This was also the first occasion
upon which the X-ray Unit has been set up in the Borough, since on previous occasions
it was stationed in neighbouring Boroughs to which Islington residents or employees
were invited. It was therefore obvious that local contact has been very effoctive.