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
Southwark 1926
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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85
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
General.—All homes are visited by a Sanitary Inspector and an
Enquiry Officer, who arranges for isolation or Hospital treatment, and
investigates the possible source of infection, and deals with the schools
and contacts.
SMALL POX.
There was no case of Small Pox during 1926, nor in the preceding
five years. During the present year I visited a few suspected cases
which were found to be chicken pox.
SCARLET FEYER.
Scarlet Fever declined, both in the number and the severity of the
cases, during the year, and only three deaths were recorded.
This is the lowest mortality for several years.
Many cases were of so mild a type that they were only identified
when the peeling of the skin was occurring. These cases had chiefly
been considered to suffer from a sore throat and a transient rash had
passed unnoticed until careful enquiry called it to mind. The Dick test
has not been used in this district.
The number of cases notified and the number of deaths during the last five years were as follows:—
| Notified. | Deaths. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1922 | 802 | 17 |
| 1923 | 409 | 4 |
| 1924 | 534 | 10 |
| 1925 | 741 | 8 |
| 1926 | 519 | 3 |
DIPHTHERIA.
The number of notified cases of Diphtheria steadily increases as the
practice of swabbing throats becomes more universal, but the cases
showing serious clinical symptoms are comparatively few and the case
mortality is low.
The Schick Test has not been utilised.
Antitoxin is supplied free of charge, and 69 Phials of 4,000 units
have been supplied to Medical Practitioners in the Borough, on applying
at the Town Hall or Reception House.