London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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18
TREATMENT OF SCABIES.
Some consideration was given during the year to the provision of treatment for persons
suffering with scabies. Apparently certain local authorities provide no facilities for
treatment of this infection, and it has been urged that the Ministry of Health should request
such authorities to provide adequate treatment.
The City Corporation has for many years now given treatment to any person suffering
from scabies. The facility is not confined to residents or workers in the City, as it has been
felt that to refuse an application might result in the patient, in an endeavour to seek treatment
elsewhere, using public conveyances, with consequent possibility of the spread of the
condition.
SMALL-POX.
No case of Small-pox occurred during the year in persons resident or employed in the City.
DISTRIBUTION OF DIPHTHERIA ANTI-TOXIN AND ANTI-INFLUENZA VACCINE.
Provision was made some years ago for the distribution of Diphtheria anti-toxin free
of charge to medical practitioners who apply for it. No application was received during
1938. Similar provision is made in regard to anti-Influenza vaccine but again no application
was received during the year.
PUBLIC HEALTH (PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS) REGULATIONS, 1925.
It has not been necessary during the year to take any action in regard to the abovementioned
Regulations, which provide for the exercise of some control over persons suffering
from Tuberculous affections and engaged in certain occupations associated with the milk trade.
PROVISION OF INSULIN.
Under the powers provided by Section 227 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
the Corporation have, at the request of the authorities of the University College Hospital,
supplied, at regular intervals, insulin to one patient resident in the City and in attendance
at that hospital. This is the first patient, so far as I am aware, in regard to whom such
powers have been put into operation in the City, and the provision has been continuous
since 1930.
NURSING PROVISIONS.
MEASLES, ENCEPHALITIS LETHARGICA, CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER AND INFLUENZA.
No application has been received during 1938 in connection with the scheme which
has been approved in connection with the provision of nursing accommodation for the
above-mentioned affections. An expenditure of £25 per annum in connection with complicated
cases of measles, encephalitis lethargica and cerebro-spinal fever, and of £30 per annum
on provision of medical assistance and nursing attendance in necessitous cases of influenza,
has been approved by the Corporation.
EXAMINATION OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA.
Arrangements have been made for free bacteriological examination by Professor L: P.
Garrod, who is in charge of the Bacteriological Department at St. Bartholomew's Hospital,
at the request of medical practitioners, in cases of suspected infectious disease or food poisoning
occurring amongst patients residing in the City. City practitioners have been informed
of these facilities, and the. result is communicated to them immediately it has been
ascertained.

During the year 40 specimens were dealt with, and it will be seeij, that positive results were obtained in 14 per cent. of these cases.

Specimens.Disease Suspected.Result.
Positive.Negative.
19 SputaTuberculosis316
19 Swabbings from ThroatsDiphtheria217
2 BloodTyphoid Fever2