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
Leyton 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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Deaths.—Six deaths due to diphtheria occurred in hospital during the year, the following being the relevant particulars:-
| No. | Sex. | Age in years. | No. of days ill before admission. | Cause of death. In | In hospital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F. | 3 years | 3 | Diphtheria. Cardiac failure | 6 days |
| 2 | F. | 5 years | 4 | Diphtheria. Acute bronchitis. Cardiac failure. | 8 days |
| 3 | F. | 4 | Diphtheria Cardiac failure | 6 days | |
| 4 | F. | 3 years | 3 | Diphtheria, Cardiac failure | 13 days |
| 5 | M. | 7 years | 2 | Diphtheria, Cardiac failure | 1½ hrs. |
| 6 | M. | 4 years | 4 | Diphtheria, Cardiac failure | 4 days |
Staff.
During the year the Council lost the valued services of Sister
S. Barnard who retired on superannuation after a period of 30 years
service at the Isolation Hospital.
Massage and Special Treatment.
Following a report by the Medical Officer of Health dealing
with the necessity for special massage and treatment for certain
patients in the Isolation Hospital, especially in the case of patients
suffering from paresis of leg muscles following diphtheria, the Council
decided that the services of the Council's Masseuse (Miss Findlay)
should be available in these cases.
Since 1st January, 1935, Miss Findlay has attended the Isolation Hospital during one morning per week, and the following list shows the numbers of the different types of patients dealt with.
| Number of patients treated. | Number of treatments. | |
|---|---|---|
| Under School Age | 33 | 79 |
| School Children | 101 | 237 |
| Adults | 19 | 33 |
| 153 | 349 |
Miss Findlay's services at the Isolation Hospital have been
greatly appreciated; and as a result of the treatment given it has
been possible to ensure that patients suffering from orthopœdic
defects leave the hospital in a more fit condition. In addition,
Miss Findlay has been able to follow up these cases by arranging
for their attendance at the special orthopœdic clinic.