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37
INFLUENZA.
This disease seemed to he slightly more prevalent than in 1932, though correct
information as to the number of cases was, of course, unobtainable. The deaths
certified as due to Influenza numbered 41, as against 35 in the previous year.
PNEUMONIA.
Figures with regard to notification and information as to methods of prevention,
etc., adopted in relation to this disease will be found on pages 82 and 66.
The services of the nurses were requisitioned in 21 cases and 388 visits were
paid. The number of deaths certified as due to all forms of this disease was 83.
FOOD POISONING.
Section 7 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1932, under
which conditions due to food poisoning or suspected to be due to food poisoning
became compulsorily notifiable, came into operation at the end of August of that
year.
By the close of the year 1932, 17 such cases had been reported but there has
since been a falling-off in the number of notifications received, the total for the
year 1*933 being only 13. In 9 instances some form of fish, either fresh or tinned,
was the food suspected, whilst in the other cases pork, cheese and egg and milk
came under suspicion. In no case was it necessary to remove the patient to
hospital and all fully recovered within the course of a few days.
TUBERCULOSIS.
In all 164 notifications were received, 148 relating to pulmonary tuberculosis,
the remainder (16) to cases in which structures other than the lungs were affected.
The table given on page 39 contains the information required by the Ministry
of Health with regard to notifications.
From time to time reference is made to the difficulty associated with the
obtaining of notifications sufficiently early, and the following figures are introduced
because they are interesting in this connection. They relate, as will be seen, to
cases in which death had taken place before the fact that the individual was
suffering from the disease had been brought to the notice of the Medical Officer of
Health, as required by the regulations: —
1. Total number of deaths from tuberculosis in the Borough 68
2. The number of cases unnotified or notified at death 23
3. The number of cases notified within a month of death 10
4. The number of cases notified within three months of death 8
5. The number of cases notified within six months of death 4
Treatment of Tuberculosis.—Of the cases notified 230 received some form of
institutional treatment, and during the year every effort was made to obtain admission
to sanatoria of cases deemed suitable for such treatment. Of the total new
cases notified 105 were insured persons; of those 85 were admitted to sanatorium
or hospital treatment, 30 to St. Charles' Hospital and 8 to St. Mary Abbots'
Hospital. Non-insured persons numbered 59, of whom 30 (5 being children)
received sanatorium treatment. Twelve were admitted to St. Charles' Hospital
and 1 St. Mary Abbots' Hospital. Nurses were sent in to 6 cases and 84 visits
were paid.
Public Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925.—In no case
was it necessary for action to be taken under these regulations, which empower
the Council to call upon a person suffering from tuberculosis engaged in the milk
trade to discontinue such employment.