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
Croydon 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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98
The Clinic Register is revised annually, so as to make it a
correct record of the cases in the Borough who are under the supervision
of the clinic. By this yearly revision the Register is kept
a "live" one.
During the year 124 Clinic cases died; of this number, 33 or
26.6% were seen for the first time in 1935.
Examination of Sputum.
This is done by the Council's Bacteriologist in the Laboratory
at the Croydon General Hospital.
The results of examinations made in 1935 are as follows:—
| For Clinic | For General Practi-tioners. | For Mayday Hospital. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive (i.e., tubercle bacilli present) | 327 | 110 | 262 | 699 |
| Negative (i.e., tubercle bacilli absent) | 454 | 573 | 301 | 1,328 |
| Total | 781 | 683 | 563 | 2,027 |
For each 100 new cases and contacts examined at the Clinic
95 specimens of sputum were examined.
1935, however, shows a decrease in the number of examinations
of sputa made for General Practitioners. It is difficult to understand
why this simple test is not always made in any doubtful chest
condition.
Too much reliance should not be placed upon one negative
sputum examination. In any case in which it is considered
advisable to have the sputum examined, at least three specimens
should be submitted if the result is returned as negative.
X-ray Work.
A greater number of doubtful and difficult cases were sent for
radiological examinations than in previous years. each year this