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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Home Visiting
| Families Visited | Revisits | Ineffective Visits | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scabies | 159 | 10 | 134 | 303 |
| Vermin | 111 | 1 | 43 | 155 |
Bacteriological Examinations
The number of specimens sent to the Public Health Laboratory, County Hall, S.E.I,
for bacteriological examination was 9,839. This was over 2,500 more than 1958 when a
record of 7,221 specimens were sent.
In both years the majority of the specimens were fæcal and arose out of the
various dysentery outbreaks.
The incidence of dysentery is commented upon elsewhere in the report, but it is
interesting to note that, in dealing with these specimens, both the Infectious
Diseases Section and the Public Health Laboratory came very near to saturation point.
Specimens were sent at the rate of up to 1,600 per month
| Examinations carried out | |
|---|---|
| Total | |
| Swabs (Diphtheria) | 845 |
| Sputum (Tuberculosis) | 12 |
| Faeces & Urine (Enteric Fever) | 124 |
| Blood (Enteric Fever) | - |
| Faeces (Food Poisoning) | 186 |
| Food (Food poisoning) | 1 |
| Faeces (Dysentery) | 8,582 |
| Faeces (Poliomyelitis) | - |
| Swabs (Streptococci) | 47 |
| Swabs (Pertussis) | - |
| Swabs (Influenza) | • |
| Vesicle Fluid scrapings (Variola) | 1 |
| Other specimens | 41 |
| TOTAL | 9,839 |
(I am indebted to Dr. Wilfrid G. Harding, Divisional Medical Officer, London
County Council, for the 1963 figures in connection with vaccination, diphtheria and
whooping cough inoculations, and chest clinics.)