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
Islington 1917
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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21
[1917
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
During the year 921 examinations were made for the medical profession
of the sputum and blood of patients lor the detection of Diphtheria, Enteric
Fever and Phthisis. This number shows a decrease of 30 on the return
for 191G, but was 363 less than that for 1915.
The following Tables give the results of the examinations that have been made during the last 19£ years.
| Diseases. | Total Examinations. | Positive Results. | Negative Results. | Percentage of Positive Results. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 5,607 | 1,759 | 3,848 | 31 4 |
| Enteric Fever | 1,186 | 520 | 666 | 43-8 |
| Phthisis | 5,956 | 1,737 | 4,219 | 29 2 |
| Total | 12,749 | 4,016 | 8,733 | 315 |
STATE OF VACCINATION IN ISLINGTON.
Of the 6,811 births registered in 1916, the returns of the Vaccination
Officers show that only 3,065 infants were successfully vaccinated; while 18
were declared insusceptible to vaccination ; 382 died unvaccinated ; 1,796
certificates of exemption were produced by parents; and 93 cases were
postponed under medical authority, thus leaving 1,487 unaccounted for.
Certificates of Exemption.—The following tabular statement shows that the increase of these certificates, more especially during the past seven years, is being maintained.
| 1906 | 123 | 1912 | 1,646 |
| 1907 | 259 | 1913 | 1,942 |
| 1908 | 588 | 1914 | 2,124 |
| 1909 | 824 | 1915 | 1,710 |
| 1910 | 1,080 | 1916 | 1,796 |
| ion | 1,241 |
DISINFECTION.
Disinfection of Rooms.—1,140 rooms were disinfected, as contrasted
with 1,349 in 1916. For this purpose formaldehyde, either in a gaseous form
or in solution, was employed, although it is sometimes augmented by
sulphur dioxide, when it is necessary to kill vermin, for which purpose it has
been found most effective.
These above figures also include the disinfection of houses and rooms
after Phthisis, vide p. 17.