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

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Acton 1902

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]

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13
PHTHISIS OR CONSUMPTION.
Following the suggestion in my Report of 1901, you have instituted
voluntary notification. We were one of the first urban authorities to
adopt this valuable preventive measure, and our example has been
rapidly followed by all surrounding districts.
The notification is always verified by a bacteriological examination.
Small sputum bottles have been forwarded to the practitioners in the
district, so that they can have an examination made without delay in
any suspicious case free of charge.
If medical practitioners could be induced as a routine measure to
obtain this examination in every suspicious case, much unsuspected infection
would be stopped.
As a means of preventing re-infection from spitting, the following
card has been widely circulated and hung in Public-houses, Laundries,
Workshops, and all Public Institutions.
The Urban District Council of Acton.
Public Health Department.
SPITTING IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF THE
SPREAD OF CONSUMPTION.
The Public are earnestly requested in the interests of Public Health
not to expectorate on the ground, but into proper receptacles.
Medical Officer of Health.
The following is the scheme of preventive measures :—
1. Voluntary notification.
2. Diagnosis by bacteriological examination of sputum.
3. Visit to house, distribution of leaflet, with advice as to fresh
air, and danger of spitting except into proper receptacles.
4. Cleansing and disinfection—
(а) After notification.
(b) After change of address.
(c) After death.
5. Investigation of sources of infection (Office and Workshop
—Home).
6. Removal of patient if possible for sanatorium treatment.
7. Removal of food infection.