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

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Marylebone 1943

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]

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Vaccination.—-Vaccinations carried out numbered 352 (primary, 286 ; re-vaccinations, 66). Vaccination was successful
in 344 instances ; unsuccessful in 6 ; while 2 cases were awaiting inspection. Of the 782 children whose births
were registered in 1942, 537 (68.7%) were successfully vaccinated.
Scabies.—The Council's Cleansing Station in Lisson Grove dealt with 759 cases of scabies : adults 198 (males 60,
females 138) ; children 561 (boys 260, girls 301). The Scabies Clinic at the Middlesex Hospital treated 1,497 cases :
adults 1,160 (males 599, females 561) ; children 337 (boys 150, girls 187). Included in the figures for both centres are
a number of patients who came from outside the Borough. Homes visited in connection with St. Marylebone cases
numbered 412. The increase in the total number of patients treated is due to scabies being compulsorily notifiable
as from the 1st August, 1943, and to the treatment of contacts wherever this could be secured. There is no evidence
of an actual increase in the prevalence of the disease. An important amendment to the Ministry of Health's Memorandum
on Scabies stated that recent investigations had shown that, with the standard' methods of treatment, routine
disinfestation of clothing and bedding was unnecessary. Emphasis, it was pointed out, should rather be laid on the
follow-up and treatment of family and other close contacts of original cases. A Ministry of Health film dealing with
modern methods used in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease was shown to local medical practitioners and others
concerned with scabies.
Impetigo.—Fifty-four boys and 75 girls received treatment for this condition at the Cleansing Station.
Influenza.—-During the epidemic of influenza, generally not severe in character, which spread throughout the country
in November and December, arrangements were made in the Borough for Army doctors to assist general practitioners
who were unable to cope with the demands made upon them, and for additional domiciliary nursing of the milder
cases to be undertaken by members of the auxiliary nursing staffs of first-aid posts. A scheme for supplying meals
to the homes of patients was also established. Though the extent of the outbreak in St. Marylebone was limited and
there was no great call upon the special services provided, it was possible in a number of instances to tide the family
over a domestic crisis and indirectly to reduce the setback to war production to a minimum.
Venereal Diseases.—In view of the increasing prevalence of these conditions, action was taken to assist in the
campaign to ensure that proper treatment is obtained by all those requiring it. Medical practitioners resident or
practising in the Borough were supplied with detailed information on the examination of pathological specimens from
patients, the treatment of gonorrhoea, the places and times of venereal disease clinics throughout London, and how to
obtain-approved arsenical drugs. Posters giving clinic addresses and hours, and inviting application to the Medical
Officer of Health for a leaflet on the dangers of venereal diseases, were displayed in public conveniences and, through
the co-operation of the local Licensed Victuallers' Association and of individual licensees, in conveniences within or
attached to public houses.
Nineteen talks on sex education were given in the Borough to youth organisations, employees of firms, etc., by
lecturers of the Central Council for Health Education under the grant received by that body from the London County
Council.
Routine tests for the Wassermann reaction were continued at the Council's ante-natal clinics.
Insulin.—Supplies of insulin for the poorer inhabitants suffering from diabetes were provided free of cost by the
Council in five cases, under the authority of Ministry of Health Circular 2734, dated 4th January, 1943.
Tuberculosis.—New Cases and Mortality.—Table 8. prepared at the request of the Ministry of Health, contains
information with regard to age and sex distribution of all forms of tuberculosis.

TABLE 8. — T uberculosis : New Cases and Deaths.

At ages— years*NEW CASES.DEATHS.
Pulmonary.Non-Pulmonary.Pulmonary.Non-Pulmonary.
M.f.M.f.M.f.M.f.
0—1--------
1—51-------
5—1512221
15—25142121411-
25—3514183434-1
35—4526131253--
45—551961-531-
55—651315-1-
65 and upwards532611
Totals93611011281433

*Including all primary notifications and also any other new cases of tuberculosis which
came to the knowledge of the Medical Officer of Health during the year.
Notifications.—Table 9 gives information regarding notifications and the localisation of the disease. The total number
of cases of tuberculosis remaining at the 31st December, 1943, on the register of notifications was 582, 31 more than at
the end of the previous year.