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
Coulsdon and Purley 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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The new cases were distributed amongst the Wards as follows:—
| Localisation. | Coulsdon Bast | Coulsdon West | Kenley | Purley | Sander-stead | Selsdon and Farleigh | Wood-cote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 5 |
| Non- Pulmonary | 1 | 2 | - | - | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Totals | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 7 |
The case rate for new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis notified fell
from 65 per 100,000 of population last year to 58 in 1938. (The average
case rates for 1915-24 and 1925-34 were 115 and 88 respectively).
The non-pulmonary case rate, however, rose from 13 in 1937 to
18 in 1938, the average rates for the two previous decades being 15 and
18. On the other hand, no deaths occurred from non-pulmonary tuberculosis
during the year although the average death rates for the quinquennial
periods 1915-34 were 20, 9, 7 and 8 per 100,000 of population.
The death rate from pulmonary tuberculosis also showed a sharp
fall, it being 27 in 1938 as compared with 39 in 1937, 45 in 1936 and
averages of 72, 57, 36 and 38 in the quinquennial periods referred to above.
Of the deaths which occurred from tuberculosis in 1938, 71 per cent,
were in previously notified cases. Of the remainder 1 was thought to
have been previously notified, 1 case had been previously notified in
another district and not transferred, and in the remaining case the
doctor forgot to notify.
The Council has made arrangements for the examination, free of
charge, of sputa from cases, or suspected cases, of tuberculosis and during
the year 48 such examinations were made.
Visitation is also provided to prevent the spread of the disease,
where possible by disinfection, removal of unhygienic conditions, etc.
Treatment for cases of tuberculosis is under the control of the
Surrey County Council, which provides both sanatorium and dispensary
treatment.
A Dispensary available for this District has been established at
Whytecliffe Road, Purley, where sessions are held on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th
and 5th Mondays in each month at 2.0 p.m., and on the first Monday
at 5.30 p.m.
A Voluntary Care Committee, towards which the Surrey County
Council makes a pro-rata contribution, serves the Purley Dispensary
area which extends beyond the Urban District boundary. The Committee
does very useful work in helping individual cases and their dependents.
The Council is represented thereon by the Medical Officer of Health.
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