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 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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Table 26
FOOD POISONING CASES
| Causative agent | No. of separate out-breaks | No. of cases notified or ascer-tained | No. of separate out-breaks | No. of cases notified or ascer-tained | Notified or ascertained | No. of outbreaks and sporadic cases columns (1 + 3+5) | No. of cases columns (2+4+5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| S. Typhimurium | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Other Salmonellae | — | — | 1 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 12 |
| Cause unknown | — | — | — | — | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 1 | 3 | 38 | 39 | 41 |
DETAILS OF FOOD POISONING DUE TO SALMONELLAE OTHER THAN
S.TYPHIMURIUM
| Type of salmonella | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bovis Morbificans | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Group C | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Group B | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Group E | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Salmonella infection, not food borne NIL |
MEASLES
The number of cases which occurred was fewer than in 1965 (2,017 as compared
with 3,014). As this disease normally makes a biennial appearance it was not surprising
that the numbers were fewer than in the previous year. However, it must
be said that the figures are high when compared with other "off peak" years.
SCARLET FEVER
The number of cases was eighty-two in 1966, and is the lowest incidence recorded
since 1962 (seventy-one cases). The general trend through the years is downwards,
but as the disease nowadays is of a mild type it is probable that many of the very
mild cases do not get notified.
WHOOPING COUGH
This was a fairly average year for the incidence of this disease, there being one hundred
and sixty-nine cases notified as against one hundred and eight cases the previous
year and one hundred and ninety in 1964. The numbers ought to be getting less
each year, and would no doubt do so if every susceptible child were to take advantage
of the whooping cough immunisation scheme.
DYSENTERY
The number of cases notified was slightly less than in the previous year, one hundred
and fifty-two cases as against one hundred and fifty-nine cases. There were no large
outbreaks and no special comment is called for except to emphasise once again that
the way to eliminate this disease is by the adoption of the highest hygienic standards
in connection with all apparatus of the water closet and with hand washing.
51