View report page

1
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE CITY OF LONDON FOR THE YEAR 1950.
To the Right Honourable The Lord Mayor. Aldermen and Commoners of the Corporation of London.
55/61, Moorgate,
London, E.C. 2.
July, 1951.
My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the following report on the work of my Department during the
year 1950.
Vital Statistics.
I have repeatedly stated in my Annual Report that owing to the small resident population of
the City, the vital statistics are of little value. It so happens that the figures for 1950 work out reasonably,
but for 1949 the still birth rate (121.21) and the infant mortality rate (10345) were grotesque.
In an endeavour to obtain a more accurate picture, I have added together the estimated population
in each of the last 10 years, which gives a population of 50,150, I have then added respectively
the births, still births, deaths and infant deaths in each of these ten years, and have calculated the
rates as if the population were the sum of the estimates for each of ten years.
This gives an average birth rate for the City of 6'37 as opposed to an average rate of England
and Wales of 17.0. The birth rate in the City is understandably low because of the nature of the
population. The still birth rate is 32.52 as compared with 27.3; the death rate is 12.96 as compared
with l1.7: and the infant mortality rate is 39.22 as compared with 43.0. I think that these figures
give a more accurate comparison between the vital statistics for the City and for England and Wales
than do those for any one year.
Infectious Diseases.
The incidence of infectious disease in the City during the year calls for no special comment.
There was only one case of Poliomyelitis.
The number of cases of Tuberculosis notified during the year was 13, which would give a high
incidence in relation to the population, but only three were true City residents. Three were members
of the staff of a hospital ; three were living in the Salvation Army Shelter in Middlesex Street ; and
four gave addresses in the City but were not normally resident.
Mass Miniature Radiography.
Both employers and employees in the City have recognised the value of Mass Radiography for
the early detection of pulmonary tuberculosis, and at each visit of a Mass Radiography Unit the
number of requests for examination has been greater than could be dealt with in the time the Unit
could stay in the City. At the first visit 15,000 were examined ; at the second 20,000 and at the
third 27,000.
It became difficult to find suitable accommodation for the Unit, and having heard that the North
East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board were looking for a home for a Mass Radiography Unit,
it occurred to me that the ground floor of your premises at 20, Golden Lane, which were not used to
capacity, might be suitable. The Public Health Committee agreed, and after discussions with the
Regional Hospital Board, rooms were fitted up for undressing, registration, X-ray and dressing,
together with a small room for developing and drying films. The part-time use of a room on the first
floor for the reading of films was also arranged. The Corporation met the expense of the structural
work and decoration, and the Regional Hospital Board provided all the special equipment. The
Board pays a nominal rent, and the cost of cleaning and of electricity used for X-ray, heating and
lighting. The centre started work on 1st November and has been fully employed ever since.
Every occupier of premises in the City is being notified of the existence of the service, but these
notices were not sent out all at once, as this would have resulted in long delays between the receipt
of requests and the actual examination of volunteers. Close contact is maintained between my
department and the Medical Director and Organising Secretary of the Unit, and we send out notices
according to the state of the waiting list. Thus a steady flow of examinees is maintained. The Unit
also dealt with requests for examination from the Metropolitan Boroughs of Finsbury, Shoreditch,
Stoke Newington and Hackney.
The results of the examinations carried out by the Mobile Unit which visited the City from
September 5th, 1949, to March 22nd, 1950, were as follows:—
The total number of persons examined was 26,633 (16,103 males and 10.530 females).
In 1,402 (5.36 per cent.) some abnormality was detected in the chest.
1,190 (4-7 per cent.) were recalled for a large-scale film to be taken.
236 (0 89 per cent.) were interviewed by the Medical Director.
Active tuberculous disease was found in 101 cases (0.38 per cent.).
Inactive tuberculous disease was discovered in 583 cases (2.2 per cent.).
A variety of other conditions were found including Bronchitis. Bronchiectasis, Pneumonia,
Pulmonary Fibrosis, Tumours, Heart Disease, &c.
Food Inspection.
The total amount of meat delivered at Smithfield Market was 347,457 tons, of which 230 tons
was found by the meat inspectors to be unfit for human consumption and was voluntarily surrendered.
In Leadenhall Market and City Shops 68 tons of meat were condemned.