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
Erith 1915
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Erith]
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We can now accommodate a total of 52 patients.
In addition there are a porter's lodge, laundry and
drying room, steam disinfector, mortuary and ambulance
sheds.
Two ambulances are kept, and a van for removal of
infected bedding. No horses are kept at the Sanatorium,
but are hired from a local contractor as necessity arises.
The Staff at the Sanatorium consists of a Matron,
a Sister, and 4 Nurses, with the necessary domestic staff,
a porter and porteress, who resides in the porter's lodge.
Table showing the number of patients treated during the year.
| Scarlet Fever. | Diphtheria. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Hospital, January 1st, 1915 | 42 | 4 | 46 |
| Admitted during year | 198 | 58 | 256 |
| Discharged ,, ,, | 215 | 49 | 264 |
| Died ,, „ | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| In Hospital, December 31st, 1915 | 18 | 6 | 24 |
No patient who has been suffering from Diphtheria
is discharged from the Sanatorium until a bacteriological
examination of a swab taken from the throat, or from
any discharge that may exist, shows that the Bacillus of
Diphtheria is no longer present, at least two consecutive
negative results being required.
Table showing comparative returns or admission during the past 11 years.
| 1904 | 1905 | 1906 | 1907 | 1908 | 1909 | 1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searlet Fever | 74 | 107 | 90 | 102 | 107 | 122 | 84 | 78 | 50 | 105 | 231 | 198 |
| Enteric Fever | 9 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 4 | |||||||
| Diphteria | 39 | 33 | 35 | 22 | 32 | 29 | 21 | 27 | 27 | 34 | 47 | 58 |
| Total | 122 | 141 | 141 | 126 | 139 | 151 | 105 | 105 | 77 | 139 | 282 | 256 |
(3) Administration of Local Acts or General Adoptive
Acts in force in the District.
The following adoptive Acts or portions thereof are
in force in the District:—
The Infectious Diseases (Prevention) Act, 1890.
The Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890.
The Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907 (Sections
19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 31 and 33 in Part II., and Section
51 in Part III.).