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
Willesden 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Table No . 12. TUBERCULOSIS.
| Age-Periods. | New Cases. | Deaths. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary. | Non-Pulmonary. | Pulmonary. | Non-Pulmonary. | |||||
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | 11 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | 19 | 27 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| 25 | 29 | 31 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 45 | 30 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 55 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 65 and upwards | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Totals | 137 | 112 | 27 | 35 | 75 | 51 | 10 | 9 |
The ratio of non-notified tuberculosis deaths to total tuberculosis deaths was 1:24.
When a death from tuberculosis is registered and no record of notification is found, a letter
is sent to the medical practitioner certifying the death, asking for his reasons, and the answers have
in all cases proved satisfactory—the medical practitioner having believed that the case had previously
been notified.
The Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1930, came into operation on January 1st,
1931. They place clearly upon the District Medical Officer of Health the duty to take such steps
as are necessary or desirable for investigating the source of infection, for preventing the spread of
infection and for removing conditions favourable to infection.
Since the beginning of 1931 the Council's Health Visitors have visited cases of Tuberculosis.
They investigate the source of infection and give advice for preventing the spread of infection. They
arrange for the provision of paper handkerchiefs and sputum bottles with disinfectant. They are
also able to arrange for the loan of bed and bedding to enable the patient to sleep in a separate bed,
but in most cases the patients are not able to avail themselves of the offer because there is no space
in the home in which to fit it in. Ring pillows have been provided in emaciated cases with a view
to the prevention of bed sores. Contacts are advised to attend at the Tuberculosis Dispensary of
the Middlesex County Council for examination.
The housing conditions of the majority of tuberculosis families are unsuitable, and make
measures for the care of the patient and the prevention of spread of the disease difficult, if not indeed,
impossible.
PUBLIC HEALTH (PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS) REGULATIONS, 1925.
No case was dealt with under the above regulations during 1932.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACT, 1925. SECTION 62.
Removal to hospital of infectious persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
No action was taken under this section during 1932.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE AREA.
Nursing in the Home.
(a) General Nursing.
(b) Nursing of infectious diseases.