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
London County Council 1929
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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34
Residential
treatment.
The following table indicates the number of applications from adults for residential treatment during each of the last five years:—
| Applications for first period of treatment. | Applications for further treatment. | Total applications. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-Service. | Civilian male. | Female. | Ex-Service. | Civilian male. | Female. | ||
| 1925 | 381 | 1,929 | 1,829 | 598 | 605 | 527 | 5,869 |
| 1926 | 128 | 2,262 | 1,864 | 478 | 693 | 582 | 6,007 |
| 1927 | 63 | 2,119 | 1,819 | 417 | 727 | 622 | 5,767 |
| 1928 | 33 | 2,125 | 1.839 | 345 | 760 | 633 | 5.735 |
| 1929 | 34 | 2,245 | 1,910 | 278 | 882 | 656 | 6,005 |
Of the 6,005 adult cases recommended during 1929 for residential treatment,
21 were subsequently withdrawn, 5,333 were accepted and 651 were not accepted.
The 5,333 cases were disposed of as follows:—(a) 1,142 were passed for admission
to "observation" beds in order to determine "diagnosis" or "suitability for
sanatorium treatment"; (b) 4,191 were passed for admission direct to sanatoria or
hospitals. Of the foregoing accepted cases, 319 for various reasons failed to enter
institutions and 123 were awaiting vacancies at the end of the year.
The cases referred to "observation" hospitals were generally (1) patients in
whom the diagnosis of tuberculosis was doubtful; (2) acute cases; and (3) patients
with well-marked symptoms whose suitability for sanatorium treatment could only
be satisfactorily determined after a period of observation in hospital.
During the year 1,144 patients were discharged from "observation beds and their classification was as follows (the corresponding figures for 1928 are also given):—
| Pulmonary. | Nvmber. | Percentage. | Number. | Percentage. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 294 | 34.54 | 316 | 35.27 |
| Group B1 | 42 | 4.94 | 39 | 4.35 |
| Group B2 | 381 | 44.77 | 415 | 46.32 |
| Group B3 | 134 | 15.75 | 126 | 14.06 |
| Total pulmonary cases | 851 | 896 | ||
| Surgical cases | 8 | 21 | ||
| Total diagnosed as tuberculous | 859 | 917 |
For definition of classification see footnote on page 33.
In the remaining 285 cases the diagnosis of tuberculosis was not confirmed. Of
the 859 cases definitely diagnosed as tuberculous, 572 pulmonary cases were sent to
sanatoria, 77 to institutions for advanced cases, 19 died in the "observation"
hospitals, 6 cases were transferred to surgical institutions, and 185 were discharged
home or arrangements made for them independently of the Council's Tuberculosis
Scheme.
The total number of adults admitted to institutions during 1929 was 5,249 as
against 5,087 in 1928. At the commencement of the year 1,920 were under treatment,
so that the total number of adults treated in 1929 was 7,169 as against 7,033
in 1928. The number under treatment on 31st December, 1929, was as follows
(the corresponding figures for the previous year are shown in brackets):—
Ex-Service pensioners for tuberculosis.
Civilian adults.
Totals.
Voluntary institutions 70 (99)
Metropolitan Asylums Board 28 (26)
645 (479)
1,340 (1,316)
715 (578)
1,368 (1,342)
Total 98 (125)
1,985 (1,795)
2,083 (1,920)
The immediate results of the treatment of patients discharged on completion of
treatment during 1929 and the two preceding years are indicated in the subjoined
table. All percentages are shown in italics. The upper line of percentage figures
under each classification heading indicates the percentage of cases falling within