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
City of Westminster 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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34
Puerperal Pyrexia.—13 cases occurred, all being removed to
hospitals.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—4 cases occurred in 1934, 2 were
admitted to hospital and 2 treated either at home or as out-patients
of hospitals. In addition to these notified cases, 7 cases of slight
inflammation of the eyes came to the knowledge of the department.
Facilities are afforded for the treatment of this disease by the London
County Council at St. Margaret's Hospital, Kentish Town, N.W.
Mothers arc also admitted, and, if necessary, receive treatment.
The Public Health (Ophthalmia Neonatorum) Regulations, 1926.
These regulations have been in force since October, 1926, and under
them midwives are no longer obliged to notify, but they are obliged to
call qualified medical assistance to all cases of inflammation of the eyes.
If the medical practitioner considers the case one of ophthalmia neonatorum,
he must notify the Medical Officer of Health.
The following details in tabular form are required by the Ministry of Health of the cases notified in 1934:— Table XXXIX.
| Cases. | Vision unimpaired. | Vision impaired. | Total blindness. | Deaths. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total. | Treated. | |||||
| At home. | In hospital. | |||||
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — |
Bacteriological Laboratory.
The examination of specimens for bacteriological investigation is
carried out at the laboratory of Westminster Hospital. The facilities
provided by the Council apply only to patients who are residents in the
City. A charge is made for work done on behalf of individuals whose
place of occupation is in Westminster, and who may be attended by
Westminster practitioners. The materials for swabbing, etc., are supplied
by the Council.
The following is the summary of bacteriological work performed:—
Swabbings from throats in suspected diphtheria 578
Sputa for investigation of tuberculosis 356
Expenditure on the first was £92 9s. 4d., and for the second
£44 19s. 9d., including cost of outfits, postage and telegrams.