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
Poplar 1904
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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37
10.4 in 1903 and 8.6 in 1902 were, after admission at the fever
hospitals, found not to be suffering from the diseases mentioned in
the medical certificates upon which they were removed to hospital.
The number of cases wrongly notified in Poplar and London for the years 1899—1904, and removed to Infectious Diseases Hospitals have been as follows : —
| Percentage of mistakes in total admissions. | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1899 49 cases | 8.4 | |
| 1900 60 „ | 7.9 | |
| 1901 131 „ | 13.1 | 9.2 |
| 1902 93 „ | 6.3 | 8.6 |
| 1903 46 „ | 6.5 | 10.4 |
| 1904 54 „ | 5.5 | |
Facilities are still afforded to practitioners to have swabbings
from throats of doubtful cases of Diphtheria, and specimens of
blood from doubtful cases of Typhoid Fever bacteriologically
examined.
In every case of wrongful notification the Public Health and
Housing Committee requires an explanation from the Practitioner
concerned, and where this is not satisfactory the facts are reported
to the Council. The Committee fully concur with the Metropolitan
Asylums Board that "the introduction into the Board's Hospitals
of cases of other diseases than those which such hospitals are
designed to treat" should be prevented as far as practicable.
Arrangements are made that the positive results of bacteriological
examinations are communicated to the officers of the Metropolitan
Asylums Board at the time when the removals of patients
are telephoned.
One case of erysipelas and one of measles were connected with
milkshops in Poplar. One case of diphtheria, one of small pox,
two of chicken pox, two of scarlet fever, three of measles and two
of erysipelas were connected with milkshops in Bromley. One case
of scarlet fever and four of measles were connected with like
premises in Bow. The sale of milk was stopped until after the
premises and utensils had been disinfected.