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
Lewisham 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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47
Scarlet Fever.—There was a gratifying decrease in the incidence
of this disease, 830 cases being notified, compared with 1,277 in the
previous year. There was one fatal case.
Diphtheria.—This disease also showed a decrease on the
previous year, 314 cases being notified as against 473 in 1934. There
were 14 deaths from this disease.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
A Scheme for the immunisation of children against Diphtheria
was commenced in July. This Scheme provides for a payment of
ten shillings to medical practitioners for each child immunised, the
practitioner providing the necessary material.
Dr. H. M. M. Woodward, of St. John's Hospital, was engaged
by the Council to carry out the Schick testing, the object of which
is to determine the child's susceptibility, or otherwise, to the disease.
The following are details of the work carried out in 1935:—
| Number of children to whom a preliminary Schick Test was applied | 108 |
| „ found to be immune | 36 |
| „ found to be susceptible | 72 |
| „ immunised | 43 |
| „ Schick tested and found to be immune | 1 |
| „ awaiting Schick Test | 42 |
| „ awaiting immunisation | 29 |
| Number of children immunised without a preliminary Schick Test | 193 |
| „ subsequently Schick tested | 47 |
| „ found to be immune | 46 |
| „ found to be susceptible | 1 |
| „ awaiting Schick Test | 146 |
Publicity was given to the Scheme by the distribution of the
leaflet reproduced below:—