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 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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64
Bacteriological Examinations.
442 swabbings from throats of doubtful cases of diphtheria were
forwarded for bacteriological examination to the Lister Institute of
Preventive Medicine. The bacillus diphtheriæ was isolated in 126
instances (28.5 per cent.).
Errors in Diagnosis.
Eighteen cases of diphtheria admitted into Metropolitan Asylums
Board's hospitals were certified as not having the complaint, 7 Poplar,
5 Bromley and 6 Bow.
No deductions have been made in respect of these patients.
Isolation. 237 cases in Poplar, 243 in Bromley, and 191 in Bow were removed to various hospitals for treatment, as follows:—
| Poplar. | Bromley. | Bow. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Asylums Board's Hospitals | 236 | 239 | 191 | 666 |
| St, Andrew's Hospital | 1 | 3 | — | 4 |
| Poplar Hospital | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| 237 | 243 | 191 | 671 |
The Diphtheria Anti-Toxin (London) Order, 1910.
Eighty-eight thousand units of diphtheria anti-toxin were supplied
to medical practitioners during the year.
WHOOPING COUGH. Deaths.
| Poplar. | Bromley. | Bow. | Borough of Poplar. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | 6 | 21 | 16 | 43 |
| 1917 | 4 | 24 | 3 | 31 |
| 1918 | 35 | 14 | 12 | 61 |
| 1919 | 12 | 12 | — | 24 |
| 1920 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 50 |