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 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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22
Diphtheria Immunisation, 1963
Dr.. Wilfrid G„ Harding, Divisional Medical Officer, London County Council, has
kindly supplied the following figures in respect of Islington for the current year.
As immunity tends to wane with the passage of time, the Immunity Index relates
only to children who have been inoculated during the last 5 years by general
practitioners, and in L.C.C. Welfare Centres and Schools. This is consonant with the
Immunity Index given by the Ministry of Health.
| Age at 31.12,63 i.e. born in year | Under 1 1963 | 1 - 4 1962 - 59 | |
| Last complete course (whether primary or boost) 1959 - 63 | 2,603 | 14,449 | |
| Mid-year population | 5,660 | 18. 140 | |
| Immunity Index | 46 | 69.7 | |
Food Poisoning
Number of notifications received
| 1947 | 7 |
| 1948 | 10 |
| 1949 | 55 |
| 1950 | 104 |
| 1951 | 148 |
| 1952 | 58 |
| 1953 | 243 |
| 1954 | 104 |
| 1955 | 294 |
| 1956 | 141 |
| 1957 | 150 |
| 1958 | 183 |
| 1959 | 164 |
| 1960 | 131 |
| 1961 | 119 |
| 1962 | 67 |
| 1963 | 103 |
It will be seen from the above that there was a rise in the number of notifications
of food poisoning over last year, comprising isolated and family cases. It is, however
very gratifying to record that there were no outbreaks during the year to be reported to
the Ministry of Health in accordance with Memo. 188/Med. of the Ministry of Health,
Although it is the first year since 1952 that this has occurred, there is no
justification for any relaxation in vigilance, for food poisoning is a disease which is
directly related to cleanliness, food hygiene and health education.