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
Beckenham 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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39
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
During the five years under review there has not been any
serious epidemic of infectious disease. On the whole the number
of cases and the mortality are less than for previous quinquennial
periods. Reference will be made to these points under each disease.
Bacteriological Examinations.—The laboratory continues to be
a useful adjunct to the machinery for dealing with infectious disease,
and the number of examinations made will indicate the extent to
which Medical Practitioners in the District make use of the facilities
provided. It should be remembered that in years when Diphtheria
is prevalent the number of bacteriological examinations will be
larger, as it is in connection w ith this disease that the large proportion
of examinations are made.
The following statement shows the number and results of the examinations made during 1925, with comparative figures for the previous years: —
| Diseases suspected. | Results for 1925. | Total Examinations made. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive. | Negative. | 1925. | 1924. | 1923. | 1922. | 1921. | |
| Diphtheria | 54 | 322 | 376 | 313 | 261 | 500 | 430 |
| Tuberculosis | 50 | 164 | 214 | 203 | 191 | 173 | 184 |
| Typhoid Fever | 1 | 5 | 6 | 23 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| Other Diseases | 16 | 29 | 45 | 59 | 81 | 47 | 70 |
| Totals | 121 | 520 | 641 | 598 | 539 | 722 | 692 |
Fever Hospitals: —
An analysis of the subjoined Table will show that the Fever
Hospitals are used chiefly for the isolation and treatment of two
diseases, viz., Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria. During the last twentyfive
years from 70 to 80 per cent. of these two diseases have been
removed to Hospital.
The cases of Typhoid Fever are comparatively few, and the
proportion removed to hospital is not so high. Other infectious