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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Romford]
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Altogether, 51 initial positive results were obtained, and 119 initial
negative results. It appears to me, from our findingsi, that two separate
conditions may have been operating at one and the same time viz.
Sonne Dysentery, and Epidemic (or Winter) Vomiting.
The total schools' population at risk in these three schools was
about 720.
As a matter of interest, after a positive result, it took an average
of about 5.3 further samples, before the sequence of 3 negative results,
mentioned above, was obtained. Altogether, during our investigations,
approximately 1,000 'samples were submitted to the laboratory at
Oldchurch Hospital for examination, and I am indebted to the
laboratory, to the heads of the schools in question, to the general
practitioners, the health inspectors, the health visitors, and my clerical
staff for their united efforts to clear up this outbreak, which, if rot
spectacular in itself, nevertheless, does show what can be done by
co-operation on such occasions.
(e) Food Poisoning.
During the year, 5 cases were notified, which proved to be suffering
from food poisoning. In addition, another 45 proved indefinite.
The following table sets out details, as required by the Ministry of
Health.
TABLE 16
| (a) Total Number of Outbreaks | Nil | |||
| (b) Total Number of Cases included in (a) | Nil | |||
| (c) Number of Single Cases | 50 | |||
| (d) Number of Deaths | Nil | |||
| (e) (i) Organisms responsible | ||||
| (ii) Outbreaks attributed to (i) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| (iii) Single cases attributable to (i) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 45 |
During one period of the year 7 cases of Paratyphoid B. Fever
were notified in the district, and, at the same time, several other cases
were reported in neighbouring districts. Investigations throughout
each of the areas concerned, suggested that infection was caused by the
consumption of confectionery, containing imitation or artificial crtam
made in a bakery outside the Borough. The probability was that the
cream was contaminated by infected Chinese egg products. No
secondary cases were reported in the district.
(f) Measles.
Measles was again present in epidemic form from March until July,
although to a much less extent than last year.
Altogether, during the year, 743 cases were notified.
(g) Scarlet Fever.
The notifications numbered 150, and the type was again mild.
(h) Smallpox.
No cases occurred in the district, and no contacts required to be kept
under surveillance.