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 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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The following statement summarises the work of the past three years:—
| 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | |
| (1) (a) Total number of contacts in respect of whom form 1 was received | 34 | 620 | 11 | 1,333 | 21 | 2,009 |
| (b) Number in (a) transferred from other areas | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
| (2) Number of cases in (1) in which attempts were made outside the scope of the Regulation to persuade the contact to be examined before the latter had been named on a second form 1 | 20 | 190 | 7 | 528 | 15 | 856 |
| Contacts found | 10 | 94 | 7 | 328 | 13 | 473 |
| Contacts examined or already under treatment | 9 | 70 | 6 | 199 | 12 | 343 |
| (3) Number of those in (1) in respect of whom two or more forms 1 were received | - | 60 | - | 172 | 3 | 292 |
| (4) Number of those in (3) who were:— | ||||||
| (a) found | — | 37 | — | 123 | 2 | 202 |
| (b) examined after persuasion or already under treatment | - | - | - | - | - | 7 |
| (c) served with form 2 | — | 32 | — | 123 | — | 195 |
| (d) examined after service of form 2 | — | 29 | — | 103 | 2 | 170 |
| (e) prosecuted for failure— | ||||||
| (i) to attend for, and submit to, medical examination | - | 3 | - | 10 | - | 15 |
| (ii) to submit to and continue treatment | — | - | — | 4 | — | 25 |
| (f) transferred to other areas | - | - | - | - | - | 24 |
A summary of the results of the 40 prosecutions in 1945 is given below. The
terms of imprisonment varied from 1 day to 3 months; the latter was the sentence in 5
instances.
Result of prosecution for failure to attend for examination—
Imprisonment 6
Probation 3
Bound over 2
Fined 2
Adjourned sine die 2
Result of prosecution for failure to continue treatment—
Imprisonment 9
Probation 5
Bound over 9
Dismissed 1
Remanded 1
The team of U.S. Army nurses, who valuably assisted in tracing contacts named
by American Service men, was disbanded in July, 1945, on the withdrawal of the
American Services from this country.
I have again to acknowledge with gratitude the co-operation of the Commissioner
of Police for the metropolis in making available the services of police officers to assist
in tracing alleged contacts named more than once.
With the release of increasing numbers of men from the Services, arrangements
were made for co-operation with the Service authorities to ensure the continued
attendance at clinics after return to civilian life of men who, on discharge from the
Services, were under treatment or surveillance for V.D. The arrangement is entirely
voluntary, and, in cases where the patient has given his signed consent, notification of
discharge is received from the Service authority and an approach is then made to
ensure that treatment is being continued. The nature of the work makes it necessary
for a large measure of tact to be exercised, particularly in cases where ex-Servicemen
reside with relatives, but no exceptional difficulties have been experienced and it has
been found that advice and offers of assistance have been appreciated.