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 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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SCABIES AND VERMIN
| Scabies | Vermin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Children under 5 years | Number treated | 64 | 59 |
| Number of baths given | 121 | — | |
| Number of treatments | — | 60 | |
| I.L.E.A. Children | Number treated | 125 | 239 |
| Number of baths given | 252 | — | |
| Number of treatments | — | 240 | |
| Adults | Number treated | 230 | 99 |
| Number of baths given | 470 | — | |
| Number of treatments | — | 101 |
There was a considerable decrease in the numbers treated for scabies by some 32% in 1970 — 419
compared with 664 in the previous year. The numbers treated for vermin infestations, also showed a
decrease from 452 to 397 (12%).
•
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS
The number of specimens sent to the Public Health Laboratory, County Hall, S.E.1, for bacteriological
examination was 4,152. This compared with a total of 5,843 specimens submitted last year. Annual
fluctuations are due mainly to the extent of dysentery outbreaks in any particular year.
Annual fluctuations are due mainly to the extent of dysentery outbreaks in any particular year.
| Examination Carried out Total | |
|---|---|
| Swabs (Diphtheria) | 67 |
| Sputum (Tuberculosis) | 5 |
| Faeces & Urine (Enteric Fever) | 772 |
| Faeces (Food Poisoning) | 592 |
| Faeces (Dysentery) | 2,390 |
| Swabs (Streptococci) | 8 |
| Other Specimens | 318 |
| Total | 4,152 |
VENEREAL DISEASE
Social workers employed by the Council are attached to the special clinics at Holloway Prison and the
Royal Northern Hospital. The officers attached to the former clinic resigned in September and it was not
possible to find a replacement until the end of the year.
During the past five years there has been a large increase in the number of new patients seen in the
venereal diseases clinic at the Royal Northern Hospital. In 1965 there were 3,375 and this rose to 6,610 in
1970. This rise reflects the national and international pattern of a higher incidence of venereal disease.
One of the ways of preventing the spread of venereal disease is by tracing contacts quickly and
persuading them to attend for treatment. It is also important to ensure that patients do not cease attending
before their treatment is completed. Since March, 1966, a social worker has been attached to the clinic with
the responsibility of tracing contacts and getting them to attend for treatment and for following up patients
who fail to complete treatment. Because of the increase in the number of patients attending the clinic a
second social worker was appointed at the end of November, 1970.
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