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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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The corresponding figure for previous years are:—
| 1949 | 2,127 |
| 1950 | 2,238 |
| 1951 | 2,443 |
| 1952 | 2,575 |
| 1953 | 2,738 |
| 1954 | 2,851 |
| 1955 | 2,751 |
| 1956 | 2,772 |
Tuberculosis Care Committee.
The London County Council is responsible for care work under the National
Health Service Act, 1946, but the Islington Tuberculosis Care Committee remains in
being, working in conjunction with the Islington Chest Clinic, and Members of the
Borough Council and the Medical Officer of Health serve on this Committee. The
Tuberculosis Care Committee is able to assist patients in many ways, and the Care
Organiser, reports that an average of 118 cases per quarter were helped with extra
nourishment during the year, while loans of beds and bedding and medical appliances
were made to 18 patients; others were referred to various organisations for assistance.
Tuberculosis—Mass X-Ray Unit of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital
Board, 32, Drayton Park, N.5.
The Mass X-Ray Unit continues to carry out most useful service in the Borough. Dr. G. Z. Brett, Physician in Charge of the Unit, has kindly supplied the following information in respect of Islington residents examined during the year:—
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. X-Rayed | 6,410 | 8,831 | 15,241 |
| No. of cases of tuberculosis | 70 | 41 | 111 |
| Rate per 1,000 | 10.9 | 4.6 | 7.2 |
In addition, a large number of others who work in the Borough were seen, and
arrangements were made for many organised groups of volunteers to attend for
examination at the Unit.
Bacteriological Examinations
All specimens for bacteriological examination dealt with through the Department are submitted to the Public Health Laboratory Service, County Hall, S.E.1.
| Examinations carried out | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total | ||
| Swabs (Diphtheria) | 187 | |
| Sputum (Tuberculosis) | 34 | |
| Faeces (Enteric Fever) | 81 | |
| Blood (Enteric Fever) | — | |
| Faeces (Food poisoning) | 369 | |
| Food (Food poisoning) | 1 | |
| Faeces (Dysentery) | 2,573 | |
| Faeces (Poliomyelitis) | 138 | |
| Swabs (Streptococci) | 65 | |
| Swabs (Pertussis) | 11 | |
| Swabs (Influenza) | 24 | |
| Smears (Variola) | 4 | |
| Scrapings (Variola) | — | |
| Other Specimens | 25 | |
| Total | 3,512 | |
(I am indebted to Dr. Wilfrid G. Harding, Divisional Medical Officer,
London County Council, for the 1956 figures in connection with vaccination,
diphtheria and whooping cough inoculations, and chest clinics).