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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The age incidence of the cases is as follows:—
| Under 1 | 1-2 | 2-3 | 3-4 | 4-5 | 5-15 | Over 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of cases | 11 | 48 | 25 | 22 | 9 | 33 | 10 |
| Fatal cases | 1 | 9 | 1 | 2 | – | 2 | – |
Fatal Cases—Duration of Stay in Hospital.
| No. of days | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | over 7 |
| No. of cases | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | 6 |
Chief Complications.
Broncho-Pneumonia 48
Otitis Media 11
Enteritis 5
Laryngitis 3
Mastoiditis 2
Complications in Fatal Cases.
Broncho-Pneumonia 12
Toxic Measles 2
Abscess of Lung 1
Cross infection with measles occurred in the female scarlet fever ward with four secondary
cases.
Mixed Infections.
The following cases of mixed infection were admitted during the year:—
Diphtheria and Measles 7
Whooping Cough and Measles 4
Whooping Cough and Scarlet Fever 1
Whooping Cough and Chicken Pox 1
Scarlet Fever and Chicken Pox 1
One case of diphtheria and measles had to have the operation of tracheotomy performed.
The patient made a good recovery.
Puerperal Infections.
The 15 cases of Puerperal infection which were admitted during the year may be classified
as follows :—
Local Uterine Sepsis 5
Septic Abortion 2
Laceration of Vagina 1
Abscess of Thigh 1
Mammary Abscess 1
Pyelitis 1
Septic Perineal Wound 1
Tonsillitis 1
Bacilluria 1
Septicaemia 1
The case of septicaemia occurred in a woman after a miscarriage, and the patient died 29 days
after admission to hospital. The infecting organism proved to be the pneumococcus. All the other
cases made very good recoveries.
Scarlet Fever.
During the year 346 cases of Scarlet Fever were admitted to hospital, as compared with 375
cases last year. One death occurred, the cause of which was pneumonia.
Whooping Cough.
Eighteen cases were admitted and 3 deaths occurred, all due to broncho-pneumonia.