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
Paddington 1905
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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58
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
Closure was enforced on ten occasions in nine schools, 5 Orders being issued by the Council. The other closures were directed by the Education Committee of the County Council. Particulars are given below.
| School. | Class-room. | Date of Closure. | Duration. | Disease. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By Order of the Borough Council :— | |||||
| St. James (Inf.) | 1 and 2 | Mar. | 17th | 3 weeks. | Whooping Cough. |
| St. Mary (Inf.) | 3 and 4 | Mar. | 21st | 3 „ | Measles and Whooping Cough. |
| St. Stephen (Inf.) | C | May | 17 th | 3 „ | Measles. |
| St. James (Inf.) | Whole Department | June | 23rd | 3 „ | „ |
| St. Saviour (Inf.) | „ | Nov. | 27th | 6* „ | „ |
| By Education Committee :— | |||||
| St. Mary Magdalene (Inf.) | D | June | 28th | 2½ weeks. | Measles. |
| Campbell Street (Inf.) | C and D | July | 15th† | „ | |
| Essendine Road (Inf.) | D | Oct. | 20th | 2½ " | „ |
| Amberley Road (Inf.) | C | „ | 2½ „ | „ | |
| Essendine Road (Inf.) | A, B and C | Nov. | 11th | 2½ „ | „ |
* Including Christmas holidays. † Until Summer holidays.
Duplicate copies of notices to Extra-Borough Schools are sent to the Medical Officers of
Health of the Adjacent Districts, from whom similar returns are received relating to Borough
Schools.
Pradically all non-resident scholars come from either Willesden or Kensington. From those Districts 44 returns were received last year compared with 69 in 1905.
| Willesden. | Kensington. | |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet fever | 22 | 11 |
| Diphtheria | 6 | 4 |
| Enteric fever | – | 1 |
| 28 | 16 |
Bacteriological Examinations.—There was a decrease in the number of specimens (61)
received for examination during the past compared with preceding year, and the percentage
of positive results (34*4) was also lower. The numbers submitted during the four preceding
years and the percentage of positive results were—1904, 80 (35) ; 1903, 67 (19.4) ; 1902,
05 (43) ; and 1901, 129 (53.4). The specimens received last year related to the following
diseases :—
No. Specimens Results.
received. Positive. Negative.
Diphtheria 36 8 28
Enteric fever 23 11 12
"Consumption" 1 1 —
Septicemia 1 1 —
It is a matter for some regret that more use is not made of the offer to bacteriologically
examine the sputum in cases of suspected "consumption." The early detection of the
bacillus is advantageous both to the public (that proper precautions be promptly initiated)
and to the patient (that suitable treatment be adopted at the earliest possible time).
Of fensive Refuse.—Trade Refuse.—There has been no change in the systems of dealing
with this class of refuse, and no complaints of nuisances arising therefrom have been
received.