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
Edmonton 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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40
DISINFECTION.
Our methods of disinfection are stated in my report for 1914.
Disinfectants continue to be supplied without charge to callers, mostly
children, on the same lavish scale as heretofore. Their unlimited use does not
prevent outbreaks of infectious disease, as this report shows; it discourages
cleanliness. In my own home, during 15 years residence in Edmonton, I have
used none and yet kept it clean and free from infectious disease. Besides, its
distribution wastes an enormous amount of time for my inspectors, clerks and
others of my staff. A visit to our stores on Saturday morning would be
instructive to the ignorant.
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
During the year the following specimens were examined and reported upon:—
| Disease. | Result Positive. | Result Negative. | Doubtful. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 108 | 204 | - | 312 |
| Enteric Fever | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Tubercle (sputum) | 7 | 14 | — | 21 |
| Cerebrospinal Fever | - | 1 | - | 1 |
| Totals | 116 | 219 | — | 335 |
The total number last year was 118. You will notice the very large
increase in 1920.
PUERPERAL FEVER.
Three residents were notified, including one from the North Middlesex
Hospital. There were two deaths. Our death-rate is therefore 1.04 per 1,000
births; it was 1.62 last year. Moreover, three women, two of Tottenham and
one of Waltham Cross, were notified as inmates of the North Middlesex
Hospital.
During 1919 there were 257 midwives practising privately in Middlesex
and 420 not practising; besides, there were nine engaged in poor-law infirmaries,
who are exempt from the provisions of the Act. In Edmonton there were 17
practising at the beginning of 1919, but only nine at the end of the year.