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 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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148
1903]
EPIDEMIC CEREBRO SPINAL MENINGITIS.
This disease, which has been notified in Islington since March, 1907, under
an Order of the London County Council, which had been approved by the
Local Government Board, was notified in 7 instances, and resulted in 4 deaths.
The fatality was therefore 57.1 per cent.
The cases were as follows:—
| Cases. | Deaths. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | 2 | 1 |
| 2nd „ | 2 | 1 |
| 3rd „ | — | — |
| 4th „ | 3 | 2 |
| 7 | 4 |
VOLUNTARY NOTIFICATION OF PHTHISIS.
Fifty-nine cases were notified by medical practitioners, of which 27
occurred in their private practice, and 32 in their public practice. In addition
to these, the Relieving Officers notified 50 cases among paupers, so that 109
cases came under the observation of the Medical Officer of Health during the
year.
In 1905 123 such cases were known, in 1906 126, in 1907 137, so that in
four years 495 cases were known.
In each instance instructions were left either with the patients themselves or with their parents or guardians.
| Years. | Medical Practitioners | Relieving Officers. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Practice. | Public Practice. | |||
| 1905 | 68 | 13 | 42 | 123 |
| 1906 | 30 | 34 | 62 | 126 |
| 1907 | 40 | 28 | 69 | 137 |
| 1908 | 27 | 32 | 50 | 109 |
| Four years | 165 | 107 | 223 | 495 |
If the patients were removed to hospital, disinfection of the rooms was
generally effected; at all events the Public Health Department made an offer
to the persons in charge of the home to disinfect the rooms and clothing.