London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Southgate 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southgate]

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Tuberculosis.—Fifty cases of pulmonary and seven cases of
non-pulmonary tuberculosis were notified during the year under
the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1912, the corresponding
figures for 1937 being, pulmonary cases, 44; non-pulmonary
cases, 8. In addition to these notified cases, 28 patients were
entered in the register (24 pulmonary, 4 non-pulmonary), these
cases being new residents in the district, previously notified
elsewhere.
Twenty-four deaths occurred, 22 from pulmonary and 2 from
non-pulmonary tuberculosis. Three of these cases had not previously
been notified, a ratio of 13.6 per cent., as against 17.8 per
cent, in 1937.
The age groups of the cases notified were as follows:
1 to 5 years 2
5 to 15 years 2
15 to 20 years 5
20 to 35 ,, 32
35 to 45 ,, 2
45 years and over 14
It will once again be observed that the age group 21-35 exhibits
the highest notification rate, a fact which reappears with tragic
regularity year after year.
Public Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925;
Public Health Act, 1925, Section 62. (Compulsory removal to
hospital of persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis).
It was not necessary to take any action during the year in
connection with the above.
Laboratory Facilities.—See page 21.
Non-Notifiable Infectious Diseases.—As will be seen from
the list of non-notifiable infectious diseases received from the
various schools during the year, as set out below, the final total
shows very little variation from that of 1937. As was anticipated,
the incidence of measles showed a marked increase, although not
to the level of the preceding epidemic period. Whooping cough
was less prevalent than has been the case for the past five years.
With regard to the issue of Immune Globulin as a prophylactic
measure against measles, mention of which was made in last year's
Annual Report, 79 vials were issued through medical practitioners,
15 free of charge. The reports received from the various
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