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
City of London 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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26
VENEREAL DISEASES.
The Special Centre for the Treatment of Venereal Diseases which, in accordance with
the powers under the Public Health (Venereal Diseases) Regulations, 1916, the City Corporation
established at 20/21, Golden Lane—previously occupied as a shelter and specially
altered to meet the requirements—was transferred to St. Bartholomew's Hospital on the
17th February, 1930.
This step was deemed expedient for economic and other reasons, and it is satisfactory
to note that the number of persons availing themselves of the opportunity afforded has,
since that date, shown marked increase, the total number of new cases in the year being
1,073, as compared with an average, during the previous four years, of 456. This exceeded
the peak period of 1920.
The following is a brief summary of the work carried out during the year 1930 :—
At the beginning of the year 417 males and 123 females were registered on the books
as being under treatment or observation, which compares with 324 males and 98 females at
the beginning of the previous year. Of these patients 234 males and 92 females were under
treatment for syphilis and 183 males and 31 females for gonorrhoea. No patients were
under treatment for conditions other than venereal disease.
New patients admitted totalled 1,073 as compared with 498 in the previous year, and
476 in 1928 and 476 in 1927. 61 males and 19 females suffering from syphilis discharged
themselves before completing the first course, and 32 males and 10 females after completing
the first course, but before completion of treatment. 19 males and 12 females completed
treatment, but failed to submit themselves to final test; 11 males and 3 females were transferred
to other centres after treatment for syphilis, whilst no males and no females were
discharged after completion of treatment and observation.
In the case of gonorrhoea, 195 males and 21 females, out of the total of 516 and 60 of
the respective sexes coming under treatment during the year for the first time, discharged
themselves before completion of the first course of treatment.
There were 11 in.patients
The total number of attendances of all persons at the clinic was 20,694, which total is made ud as follows :—
| SyDhilis. | Soft Chancre. | Gonorrhoea. | Non.Veneral Conditions. | Total Attendances. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male. | Female. | Male. | Female. | Male. | Female. | Male. | Female. | Male. | Female. |
| 7,423 | 3,353 | . | . | 8,631 | 881 | 292 | 114 | 16,346 | 4,348 |
In the laboratories associated with the Centre, 8,212 specimens were examined, 33 for
the detection of spirochetes, 1,167 for gonococci, 6,840 examinations for the Wassermann
or Sigma test, and 172 for other examinations.
The following tabulation indicates the number of patients coming under treatment for the first time from the Counties stated, and also the examinations which were made for the detection of Spirochetes, of Gonococci and for the Wassermann or Sigma test in respect of these patients :—
| For Syphilis. | No. of patients treated. | For Spirochetes. | Examinations. For Wassermann or | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For Gonorrhoea. | For Non.Venereal Conditions. | ror Gonococcl. | Sigma Test. Reactions. | For Non.Venerea Conditions. | |||
| London | 330 | 319 | 400 | 33 | 1,150 | 6,835 | 172 |
| Essex | 1 | 7 | 2 | — | 9 | 1 | — |
| Herts | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | |
| Surrey | — | 4 | 2 | — | 6 | — | — |
| Kent | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 4 | — |
| Totals | 333 | 334 | 406 | 33 | 1,167 | 6,840 | 172 |
Included in the above total were *4,620 examinations for the Wassermann or Sigma
test at the request of general practitioners.
No specimens were submitted by general practitioners for examination for gonococci.
No specimens were submitted by general practitioners for examination for spirochetes.
* Includes tests made for St. Bartholomew's Hospital and the Metropolitan Asylums Board.