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 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Erith]
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30
It is not claimed that immunisation will entirely prevent
one from getting diphtheria. What is claimed is that the
organism will be kept in check and prevented from producing
the dangerous consequences, heart lesions, paralysis and death
itself, which make the disease such a dreadful menace to
children.
The following table will indicate the number of cases dealt with:—
| Diphtheria | Diphtheria and Whooping Cough Injections | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Injection. | 2nd Injection. | |||||
| 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | |||
| January | 48 | 45 | 1 | — | — | — |
| February | 52 | 55 | 3 | 1 | 5 | — |
| March | 42 | 37 | 5 | 1 | — | — |
| April | 35 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| May | 46 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| June | 52 | 36 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| July | 33 | 33 | ||||
| August | 21 | 15 | ||||
| September | 46 | 33 | ||||
| October | 3 9 | 44 | ||||
| November | 32 | 33 | ||||
| December | 11 | 26 | — | 3 | — | — |
| Total | s 457 | 420 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Grand Totals—1st Injections | 471 | |||||
| 2nd ,, | 430 | |||||
| 3rd ,, | 9 | |||||
| 4th ,, | ||||||
C(4). Smallpox.
An arrangement exists between the London County
Council and the Erith Borough Council for accommodation for
cases occurring within the district.
C (5). Disinfection of Premises after Infectious Disease.
Following the removal of cases of infectious disease, tuberculosis,
etc., 117 premises were disinfected, whilst enquiries to
obtain particulars regarding cases of tuberculosis were undertaken.
The Council have a steam disinfector at the Isolation
Hospital, at which clothing, bedding, etc., are disinfected, in
addition to the disinfections carried out for the hospital itself.