London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Edmonton 1915

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]

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13
deaths received from the Registrar-General. Two others, between two and
five years, died of the same disease, and one of whooping cough. Four died of
tuberculosis of the lungs, and one infant of diarrhoea.
EDMONTON MILITARY HOSPITAL.
On the ist April the Guardians wrote to inform me of the impending
change, and that in no circumstances could any person suffering from infectious
disease be admitted into any of their institutions.
On the 20th April the new Edmonton Infirmary, which was opened on
4th August, 1 g 10, for 408 beds, and with a residential block for the medical
superintendent (Dr. Spencer Mort), two medical officers and a matron, was
taken over as a military hospital in the charge of Dr. Mort, with the rank of
Lieut.-Colonel. He has to assist him nine medical men, two with the rank of
Major, besides the registrar and the radiographer, who with four of the
assistant medical officers are non-resident. The nurses number 102, of whom
70 are in the Nurses' Home adjoining, and 32 at Pymmes Park House, lent by
my Council. Male orderlies and other members of the staff numbered 142, of
whom 119 are non-resident. There are 680 beds provided and there are 326
more available in auxiliary hospitals outside the district.
The first convoy of wounded soldiers arrived at our low-level station on
14th May, and from that date to 31st December, no less than 2,472 were
admitted. At the end of 1915 there were 545 in this central hospital and 214
in the auxiliaries.
In addition to dealing with the wounded from overseas, this hospital is a
military centre for soldiers in the home area reporting sick, who are admitted,
if necessary, for operation or special treatment.
Colonel Mort and his colleagues, with the support of a special Hospital
Committee of the Guardians, are doing a large amount of remedial work of
national importance, in a manner which reflects credit on all concerned,
including members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment and other volunteers.
In May my Council set aside Section "F" in our cemetery for the burial
of sailors and aoldiers.
On the 31st August, our minutes first record the proceedings of "The
Edmonton Green Committee," a band of voluntary workers who have developed
much energy in collecting funds for the recreation and extra comfort of the men
in this hospital.
As regards infectious disease amongst those on His Majesty's
Services, 5 cases were notified; 2 scarlet fever, 1 diphtheria, 1 enteric fever,