London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ealing 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
This page requires JavaScript
15
Table V. shows the occurrence of the cases in months. Both
diseases were most prevalent in the early part of the year. At no
time did they reach epidemic proportions.
table v.
| Scarlet Fever. | Diphtheria. | |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 1 |
| February | 17 | 18 |
| March | 14 | 1 |
| April | 12 | 10 |
| May | 9 | 6 |
| June | 10 | 4 |
| July | 8 | 3 |
| August | 1 | 1 |
| September | 7 | 2 |
| October | 11 | 6 |
| November | 17 | 2 |
| December | 12 | 2 |
| Total | 142 | 56 |
As to diphtheria, in the treatment of which it is essential to
secure the earliest administration of anti-toxin, every effort is
made to have the cases recognised and promptly dealt with.
The Council provides for the bacteriological examination of specimens
and, in necessitous cases, for the supply of anti-toxin free of
charge. Besides, cases which are only suspected of suffering
from the disease are admitted to the Isolation Hospital on the
recommendation of the medical attendant in order to make sure
of early treatment. During the year 176,000 units of anti-toxin
were issued free of charge for administration by medical practitioners
in the town.