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 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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5. ARTIFICIAL IMMUNISATION.
The provision of artificial immunisation against diphtheria remains as it
has been for the last few years—there is little or no demand for this in Barking.
We are trying to make up for this apathy on the part of the public by the closest
co-operation with medical men engaged in general practice, and we are watching
with interest the results achieved in this way, compared with those where artificial
immunisation is readily accepted by the population.
Although there has been no specific local action taken with regard to the
use of measles serum for prophylaxis or attenuation, steps are being taken towards
this end, and it is hoped to set up a service whereby measles serum will be at least
available in necessary cases in your hospital. Steps are also being taken to provide
facilities for immunisation against whooping cough, and I hope to be able to write
more fully upon this question next year, when we have had an opportunity of
observing the results obtained.
The following table shows what has been done under the immunisation scheme:—
| Diphtheria | Scarlet Fever. | |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of cases treated | 173 | 18 |
| Number of first attendances for treatment | 131 | 18 |
| „ subsequent attendances for treatment | 307 | 70 |
| ,, final " Schick " tests | 83 | — |
| ,, final " Dick " tests | — | 13 |
6. CANCER.
There have been 74 deaths from cancer, 38 below the age of 65 years and 36
above the age of 65.
The following table shows the occupations of the 74 people who died from
cancer during the year 1936:—