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
Finchley 1907
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finchley]
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During the year 1907, 61 Bacteriological Examinations were made in order to determine the existence of diphtheria, phthisis, and enteric fever in doubtful cases. The results were as follows:—
| Positive. | Negative. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 21 | 25 | 46 |
| Enteric | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Phthisis | 3 | 5 | 8 |
Arrangements for the free examination of specimens forwarded
by medical practitioners in the district have been in
force for the past nine or ten years, and the increasing
number of specimens sent to the Lister Institute each year for
bacteriological examination proves the value which is set on
this aid to diagnosis in doubtful cases.
For several years a supply of anti-diphtheritic serum has
been kept at the Public Health Offices, and doctors have been
supplied with the same at cost price. In December, 1905,
the Council agreed that the serum should be given free of
charge when required for use in a case where the means of
the patient did not enable him to pay for it. Advantage of
this was taken in 15 instances during the past year, compared
with 7 in 1906.