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 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southgate]
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It is important to remember that several outbreaks of poliomyelitis
have recently occurred within Great Britain, one at least
being extensive. This proves that the virus is still with us and
requires careful supervision.
As in previous years, we have co-operated with the Central
Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, in obtaining specimens from
children who have not been in known contact with poliomyelitis, so
that their stools can be examined.
7. Twenty-eight cases of tuberculosis were notified during
1961, the same number as during 1960. The Mass Radiography
Unit did not visit Southgate during 1961, since this is considered
to be an area in which tuberculosis does not constitute a major
problem. I hope, however, that I will be able to persuade the Unit
to visit Southgate in the near future.
The distribution of cases of tuberculosis notified among the
various wards was as follows :
North-east
7
North-west
5
Middle
6
South
10
A broid classification of the cases of tuberculosis notified during the past five years in relation to employment was :
| 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clerical | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Housewives | 5 | — | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Children | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | |
| Manual Labour | 5 | 3 | — | 1 | — |
| Factory Workers | 5 | 3 | — | 4 | 1 |
| Professional Classes | 8 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Armed Forces | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Domestic Service | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Food Trades | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Students | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — |
| Shop Assistants | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Nurses | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Non-manual trades other than food | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Teachers | — | — | 3 | — | 1 |
| Unclassified | 10 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 11 |
| 42 | 30 | 25 | 28 | 28 |
Our scheme for the B.C.G. vaccination of school children is
actively continuing and is working extremely well. This work is
undertaken by the School Health Service.
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