London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of Westminster 1914

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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There were 6,170 visits paid by the visitors during the year (4,200
in the South, 1,970 in the North).

Analysis of cases visited in 1914:—

Pulmonary.Other Forms.
North.South.Total.North.South.Total.
Brought forward from 191315829144954115169
New cases visited108177285204666
Total cases26646873474161235
Deaths and removals92187279333568
Remaining at end of 191417428145541126167

The illness of many of these patients dates back for several years,
and in a number of instances has been arrested.
Irrespective of casuals and soldiers, the illness of 77 consumptive
persons notified in 1914 began previous to taking up residence in Westminster,
7 others had been resident for long periods in asylums or
workhouses and developed the disease there.
Changes of address.—Exclusive of transference to hospital, infirmary,
sanatorium or temporary change of address due to visits to the country
or seaside, and exclusive of the movements of casuals, 207 changes of
address have been noted among pulmonary patients; 78 have moved out
of Westminster, 86 have changed houses in the City, and the addresses
of 47 are not at present known.
Of patients suffering from other forms, 20 left Westminster, 38
changed houses in the City, and 15 have been lost sight of—73 in all.
Suspects to the number of 118 have changed addresses, 60 left the
City, 59 changed houses, and of 29 the new addresses are unknown.
These changes of address (428 in all) add considerably to the
work of the visitors who frequently have difficulty in keeping in touch
with the patients. Assistance is, however, obtained by the system of
co-operation with the Health Visitors and other agencies.
Disinfection was carried out in 298 houses by the Council's staff,
after death, or on removal of patients from one house to another
or to hospital. In 46 cases, disinfection (or thorough cleaning and
re-decoration of rooms) was carried out privately.
Diagnosis and Detection of new cases.—It is an important part of the
work of the tuberculosis visitors to get other members of the families
in which a case occurs, medically examined, as well as others who may
have been exposed to infection, moreover, the Health Society Visitors