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 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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These dangers we can avoid by giving streptomycin at the right time,
for the correct period of time and in the right dosage. Only a physician
experienced in the use of this drug can decide when it should be used,
without danger to the patient or risk to other
New research suggests that the greatest value of streptomycin may
be found when it is used in conjunction with other drugs. For the
present, we shall still have to rely upon the well-tried existing methods
of treating and curing tuberculosis: rest, open air, artificial pneumothorax
(lung rest). These are our permanent allies. Streptomycin
used at the right moment may be a life saver; used at the wrong moment
it may be disastrous."
Immunisation against infectious disease
I am indebted to the Divisional Medical Officer of the London
County Council for the information on which the following table is based:
Immunisation against diphtheria ; whooping cough ; smallpox
Table 47
| Age at December 31, 1949 | Under 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-9 | 10-14 | Total under 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in year | 1949 | 1948 | 1947 | 1946 | 1945 | 1940-44 | 1935-39 | |
| (i) Diphtheria and combined diphtheria and | ||||||||
| Immunised during year | 182 | 2,363 | 636 | 251 | 79 | 380 | 53 | 3,941 |
| Estimated number immunised by end of year | 182 | 2,580 | 2,753 | 2,239 | 2,222 | 14,613 | 6,833 | 31,422 |
| Estimated mid-year population | 20,350 | 27,140 | 47,490 | |||||
| (ii) Whooping cough only:— | ||||||||
| Immunised during the year | 2 | 23 | 72 | 62 | 42 | 60 | 1 | 262 |
*This figure is broken down as follows :—
| Under 5 | Over 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| At child welfare clinics and day nurseries | 2,594 | 6 |
| At schools | 58 | 389 |
| By private doctors | 859 | 38 |
| Totals | 3,511 | 433 |