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
Marylebone 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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43
Prevention of Tuberculosis.—In connection with preventive work in respect
of tuberculosis, the Dispensary, which has now been part of the borough tuberculosis
scheme since April, 1921, continued to prove most valuable, the members
of the staff rendering excellent service.
Particulars with regard to patients dealt with during the year are shown in a table at page 45, while the following short table summarises the information as to visits paid by members of the staff:—
| No. of visits by Tuberculosis Officer | New, 50 | Old, 98 |
| No. of cases at Dispensary | New, 416 | Old, 1,490 |
| No. of attendances at Dispensary | 3,253 | |
| No. of visits by Miss Baker | First visits, 140 | Re-visits, 1,380 |
| No. of visits by Miss Kenion | First visits, 39 | Re-visits, 1,232 |
| No. of Committee Meetings attended | 23 |
The Tuberculosis Care Committee continued to meet fortnightly throughout
the year, Dr. Saner, Miss Baker and Miss Kenion attending and assisting in every
way possible. The representatives of the Council on this Committee were :
Councillor Hugh Jones, Councillor Dr. C. A. Fuller, and Councillor Miss J. M. A.
Hamilton.
The Open Air School in Regent's Park, which was established in 1911, continued
its useful work during the year. The number of children on the roll was
23—14 boys and 9 girls—and the attendances numbered 5,917. Dr. Saner, who
has been Medical Officer of the School since he took office at the Dispensary,
continued to act in this capacity.
The following extracts from a report by the Tuberculosis Officer (Dr. Saner)
contain reference to a number of points that may be of interest:—
"The number of new cases and the attendances at the Dispensary are set
forth in the Tables. The fine summer reduced the number of attendances in the
Autumn, as the majority of winter coughs became dormant during the hot dry
weather, but with the advent of the damp foggy months helped by the Influenza
epidemic the number of patients increased rapidly. The Influenza is leaving
behind a very irritating kind of cough which takes some time to get rid of.
Fortunately among the Tubercular patients the breakdowns have been few, but it
is early to be optimistic. During the year 400 patients were re-examined for
various reasons, e.g., for progress reports for the London County Council, for
War Pensions, and for re-diagnosis in case of those who were regarded as
suspected cases at the first attendance.
"The X-ray department of the Middlesex Hospital has been used in about 30
instances to confirm or otherwise the findings of the stethescope. In this way
several early cases have been recognised and sent for treatment.
"Several small children suffering from tubercular glands in the neck and
others who for no apparent reason did not seem to be fit and getting on, were
placed under Sunlight Treatment at the hospital. In most of these general
improvement has taken place, not so much in the way of putting on weight as in
the development of a more healthy appearance with increased mental activity or in
a diminution in the size of the glands.
"The Dental arrangements are satisfactory and have been the means of
obtaining new dentures for those patients in need of such. The Middlesex Hospital
carry out extractions and new dentures are supplied through the National Health
Insurance, the Charity Organisation, the National Association for Prevention of
Tuberculosis and the Saturday Hospital Fund.