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 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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SECTION F.
PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
1. NOTIFICATION.
The following table shows the number of notifications of infectious diseases (other than tuberculosis) received during 1942:-
| DISEASE. | Total. | Total cases removed to Hospital. | Deaths. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Poisoning. | 4 | 2 | |
| ø Encephalitis Lethargica. | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| h Scarlet Fever. | 334 | 294 | 2 |
| Diphtheria. | 57 | 57 | - |
| Puerperal pyrexia. | 22 | 21 | - |
| Pneumonia - | |||
| Acute Influenzal | 11 | 1 | - |
| Acute Primary ) | 45 | 21 | - |
| Following Measles) | 10 | 6 | - |
| Ery sipelas. | 25 | 7 | - |
| Ophthalmia Neonatorum. | 6 | 5 | - |
| Measles. | 1,260 | 16 | |
| + Whooping Cough. | 290 | 6 | 2 |
| = Cerebro Spinal Fever. | 18 | 18 | - |
| Pemphigus Neonatorum | 1 | - | - |
| Others. | - | 26 | 5 |
| TOTALS. | 2,084 | 481 | 10 |
ø This case was subsequently found not to be Encephalitis Lethargica.
x 40 cases of Scarlet Fever were nursed at home.
* One death - cause believed to be Scarlet Fever, subsequently proved
not to be the cause.
+ One death subsequently found not to be Whooping Cough.
= In eight cases notified as Cerebro Spinal Fever, the original diagnosis
was not confirmed by the Hospital.
= One case was subsequently diagnosed as "Pneumonococoal Meningitis".
It is a matter for congratulation, that of the 18 cases noted
to have Cerebro Spinal Fever, 8 were found on careful examination, to be
suffering from some other disease. Cerebro Spinal Fever, if it is to be
treated successfully must be hospitalised at once. It is also highly
desirable from the standpoint of the public that such cases should be
sent to hospital at once. The figures I have submitted to you show that
cases whioh are highly suspicious, as well as those which ultimately
prove to be Cerebro Spinal Fever, are admitted to hospital.
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