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 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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The 634 cases not accepted under the scheme were generally cases of advanced
disease. Many of these have been accommodated in the Council's general hospitals
or, if ambulant, in voluntary institutions in the country as "municipal" patients.
The number of cases not accepted in 1931 was 1,230, and the reduction is largely due
to the fact that tuberculosis officers have made greater use of the Council's
general hospitals, and recommended fewer advanced cases for treatment under the
scheme.
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, 1,561 patients were discharged from "observation beds "and their classification was as follows (the corresponding figures for 1931 also being given):—
| *Pulmonary. | Number | Percentage. | N u niber | . Percentage. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 319 | 26.30 | 316 | 27.60 |
| Group Bl | 61 | 5.03 | 57 | 4.98 |
| Group B2 | 584 | 48.14 | 565 | 49.34 |
| Group B3 | 249 | 20.53 | 207 | 18.08 |
| Total pulmonary cases | 1,213 | 100.00 | 1,145 | 100.00 |
| Surgical cases | 4 | 26 | ||
| Total diagnosed as tuberculous | 1,217 | 1,171 |
In the remaining 344 cases the diagnosis of tuberculosis was not confirmed. Oi
the 1,217 cases definitely diagnosed as tuberculous, 969 pulmonary cases were sent to
sanatoria, 14 to institutions for advanced cases, 17 died in the "observation"
hospitals, 3 cases were transferred to surgical institutions, and 214 were discharged
home or were arranged for independently of the Council's tuberculosis scheme
(including patients sent to voluntary institutions as " municipal" cases).
The number of tuberculosis scheme cases under treatment on 31st December, 1932, was as follows (the corresponding figures for the previous year being shown in brackets):—
| Voluntary institutions London County Council in stitutions | ||||
| ... | 50(51) | 676 (618) | 726 (669) | |
| ... | 10 (25) | 1,327 (1,304) | 1,337 (1,329) | |
| Total | 60 (76) | 2,003 (1,922) | 2,063 (1,998) | |
| In addition there were 305 patients receiving treatment in sanatoria as " municipal " cases. | ||||
The classification adopted is as follows:—
A.—Cases in which tubercle bacilli have not been demonstrated in the sputum.
B.—Cases in which tubercle bacilli have been demonstrated in the sputum.
Bl.—Early cases.
B2.—Moderately advanced cases.
B3.—Advanced cases.