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
Southgate 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southgate]
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with the Food Hygiene campaign inaugurated by the Borough
Council. Professor Cruickshank gave a very interesting address.
Dr. Charles Cockburn, one of the principal bacteriologists on the
staff of the Public Health Laboratory, attended the second meeting
on Food Hygiene in a similar capacity. On each occasion,
Dr. Hobbs from the Central Public Health Laboratory arranged
attractive food hygiene demonstrations. Cordial thanks are due
to all concerned for their generous co-operation.
Summary of work carried out at Central Public Health Laboratories:
| Borough Positive | Specimens. . Negative. | |
|---|---|---|
| Swabs for Diphtheria Bacilli | 251 | |
| Sputa for Tubercle Bacilli | 7 | 108 |
| The following specimens w ere also examined : | ||
| Urine | 9 | |
| Faeces | 94 | |
| Blood | 3 | |
| Rhesus Factor | 97 positive, | 46 negative |
| Khan Factor | 2 „ | 27 „ |
| Others | 22 | |
Scabies and Lice.— The arrangements set out in the Annual
Report for 1945 for the treatment of patients suffering from scabies
and vermin infestation remain unaltered, with the additions set
out in the Annual Report for 1947.
Considerable improvement has been shown in the degree of
infestation among children attending our schools. The results of
the work carried out by our Health Assistants, under the supervision
of the Health Visitor concerned, are shown in the table set
out below:
| Date of Examination | Sept., 1947 | Jan., 1948 | Apr., 1948 | Sept. 1948 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of children examined at the initial inspection | 4,666 | 3,989 | 4,136 | 4,901 |
| Number of children found to be harbouring nits or live lice | 256 | 193 | 182 | 173 |
| (5.3%) | (4.8%). | (4.4%) | (3.5%) |
The improvement obtained is well illustrated in relation to
DeBohun Primary School, where infestation was particularly
marked. In September, 1947, when the staff of the Public Health
Department became responsible for the day-to-day administration
of the School Health Service, 468 children were examined at this
22