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
Barking 1919
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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16
Ophthalmia.—The number of infants returned as suffering
from Ophthalmia Neonatorum show an increase on the previous
year.
As this must necessarily depend to some extent on the
increased number of births, there seems little evidence to believe that venereal disease has materially increased as a result of demobilisation.
| Year. | Births. | Cases of Ophthalmia. |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | 917 | 16 |
| 1917 | 758 | 8 |
| 1918 | 728 | 3 |
| 1919 | 815 | 13 |
Measles.—The number of cases notified as suffering from
this disease shows a marked fall on the figure for the previous
year, though the disease is still prevalent. The numbers for the
last four years are:—318, 924, 534, and 369. Formal notification
ceased at the end of the year 1919.
Analysis of the successive waves and the type of population
attacked is of interest.
During the year it was decided to apply to the Ministry for
consent to continue formal notification. This application has not
been made, as it necessarily depended on certain other services
which were the subjects of negotiation at the time.
Draft regulations have now been issued and have been
granted to certain areas. The main points appear to be the
limitation of notification to those aged five years and under, and
the necessity of supplementing notification by a nursing service.