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
Romford 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Romford]
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(d) Dysentery.
Seven cases of Dysentery were notified, as belonging to
Romford. Two of these were due to Shigella Sonnei, and five were
unclassified.
(e) Food Poisoning.
During the year, 24 cases were notified, which proved to be
suffering from food poisoning. In addition, another 28 proved
indefinite.
The following table sets out the details, as required by the
Ministry of Health:—
| (a) Total number of outbreaks | 5 | ||
| (b) Total number of cases included in (a) | 11 | ||
| (c) Number of single cases | 41 | ||
| (d) Number of deaths | Nil | ||
| (e)(i) Organisms responsible | Sal. TyphiMurium | C. Welchii | Unknown |
| (ii) Outbreaks attributable to (i) | 3 | Nil | |
| (iii) Single cases attributable to (i) | 11 | ||
(f) Measles.
Measles was present in epidemic form during the first half of
the year, although, in fact, the numbers first showed a rise in
November, 1954. Over the past few years the close relationship
with London has had the effect of involving us in their epidemiology,
and this has, particularly, been noticeable in the case of Measles
which, in London, has recurred in epidemic form every two years.
During 1955, however, the Country, generally, experienced one of
its worst epidemics on record.
Altogether, throughout the year, 2,807 cases were notified.
(g) Scarlet Fever.
The notifications numbered 149, and the type was mild, which
has been consistent with this condition for very many years.
(h) Smallpox.
No cases occurred in the district, but 3 members of the crew
of a ship and residents of Romford were kept under surveillance
for the requisite period, as a passenger had been landed at Suez
suffering from Smallpox.