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
Lambeth 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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Tuberculosis Incidence TABLE 2
| Year | Total on register | New cases diagnosed | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 1,541 | 266 | 62 |
| 1952 | 1,512 | 152 | 38 |
| 1953 | 1,434 | 115 | 39 |
| 1954 | 1,395 | 159 | 20 |
| 1955 | 1,281 | 86 | 12 |
| 1956 | 1,242 | 80 | 21 |
| 1957 | 1,252 | 128 | 7 |
| 1958 | 1,214 | 118 | 7 |
| 1959 | 1,240 | 86 | 8 |
| 1960 | 1,239 | 89 | 12 |
| 1961 | 1,159 | 77 | 23 |
| 1962 | 1,144 | 60 | 18 |
| 1963 | * 1,411 | 46 | 17 |
* includes
observation
Table 2 compares Chest Clinic figures since 1951 and demonstrates the
continued fall in incidence and death rate. No significant racial preponderance
was suggested in the incidence pattern but it is worthy of record that out of
64 new cases, 7 were of direct Eirean descent. It is to be noted that the total
number of cases on the Register has apparently increased following the Ministry
instruction to include observation cases in the total for statistical purposes.
Treatment
Chemotherapy is now an established form of treatment for tuberculosis and
is successful in the majority of cases. Initial treatment is given in hospital
and a ward for male cases is available in Dulwich Hospital. Female patients
may be admitted to Grove Park Hospital or the Lenham Chest Hospital. Subsequently
long term chemotherapy is given as out-patients attending the Chest
Clinic for a period up to 2 years. An average of 90 such patients were under
treatment during the year.
B. C. G. Vaccination
This procedure is now reserved at Chest Clinics for contacts at special
risk, for new born contacts and for hospital staff. 240 such vaccinations were
Performed during the year.