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
St Pancras 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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The following are comparable percentages of successful vaccinations:—
| 1940 | 33.4 |
| 1941 | 43.6 |
| 1942 | 54.7 |
| 1943 | 57.2 |
| 1944 | 55.5 |
| 1945 | 55.5 |
| 1946 | 61.1 |
| 1947 | 62.7 |
It will be seen that the total number of children born in the Borough during 1947 was
3,368, a figure which includes not only births to St. Pancras residents, but to persons living in
other boroughs who entered hospitals in the Borough for their confinement. Of these, 2,112
were vaccinated, a percentage of 62.7.
The number of St. Pancras children born was 2,793, of which 1,919 were vaccinated,
a percentage of 68.7.
Whooping Cough,
363 cases were notified by medical practitioners, as compared with 484 for 1947 and
511 for 1946, and five were not subsequently confirmed. An additional 47 cases came to the
notice Of the department and were visited. There was one death.
Bacteriological Examinations.
To aid in diagnosis and to detect contact or carrier cases, the borough council provides
bacteriological diagnosis free of charge in connection with certain diseases.
This work is carried out under contract by the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, 23, Queen Square W.C.I.
| Positive | Negative | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria bacilli | 2 | 343 | 345 |
| Tubercle bacilli | 3 | 93 | 96 |
| Faeces (Dysentery) | 39 | 166 | 205 |
| Faeces (Food Poisoning) | — | 15 | 15 |
| Haemolytic Streptococci | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Gram, negative diplococci and Trichomonas vaginalis | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Pathogenic organisms | — | 8 | 8 |
| Urethral smears | — | 3 | 3 |
| Meat pie (Food Poisoning) | — | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 47 | 631 | 678 |