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 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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74
Hospital cases treated at the ear, nose and throat clinic:—
Removal of tonsils and/or adenoids 37
Antrum Puncture 11
Mastoidectomy 6
Other Conditions 1
Total 55
Sick Staff.
One case of diphtheria, one case of scarlet fever, one case of measles and two cases of rubella
occurred amongst the Nursing Staff. One case of diphtheria occurred amongst the Domestic Staff.
Duration of Stay in Hospital.
Scarlet Fever.
The average length of detention of scarlet fever patients in hospital shows a slight increase this
year.
1926 47.2 days 1937 31.5 days
1936 35.0 „ 1938 33.1 „
Diphtheria.
The average length of detention of diphtheria patients also shows an increase from last year.
1931 56.2 days 1937 48.7 days
1936 49.1 „ 1938 56.35 „
Schick Test and Active Immunisation against Diphtheria.
(1) Nursing Staff.
During 1926 a commencement was made in Schick Testing the Nursing Staff and immunising
those nurses who proved susceptible to diphtheria. Since that date 14 cases of diphtheria have
occurred:- 1 in 1927, 1 in 1928, 1 in 1929, 2 in 1930,1 in 1932, 2 in 1934, 1 in 1935, 2 in 1936, 2 in 1937
and 1 in 1938.
(1) Number of cases of diphtheria occurring amongst probationer nurses during the first
eight months of 1926—(Before immunisation was carried out) 9
(2) Incidence rate per annum (taking 30 as average number of probationer nurses) 45%
(3) Number of cases of diphtheria occurring amongst probationer nurses from 1927 to
1938 (After immunisation was carried out) 14
(4) Incidence rate per annum (taking 30 as average number of probationer nurses) 3.8%
(5) Number of nurses Schick Tested (1927-1938 inclusive) 281
(6) Number of nurses giving a positive reaction 125
(7) Percentage of nurses giving a positive reaction 44.4%
(8) Number of nurses re-Schick Tested 65
(9) Number of nurses re-Schick Tested giving a positive reaction 18
(10) Percentage of nurses re-Schick Tested giving a positive reaction 27.7%
(2) Willesden Residents.
This clinic was made available for Willesden residents in May, 1927. The following are the figures for the years 1927 to 1938 inclusive:—
| Year. | Number attending for Schick Test. | Number attending for Immunisation. |
|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 82 | 94 |
| 1928 | 28 | 34 |
| 1929 | 2 | 9 |
| 1930 | 19 | 22 |
| 1931 | 4 | 8 |
| 1932 | 2 | 6 |
| 1933 | 19 | 23 |
| 1934 | 22 | 47 |
| 1935 | 351 | 276 |
| 1936 | 237 | 201 |
| 1937 | 393 | 409 |
| 1938 | 267 | 211 |
Further particulars regarding the year's attendances are as follows:—
(1) Number of persons attending:—
1—5 years 186
5—14 years (School Children) 189
Over 14 years (Adults and Secondary School Children) 12
Total 387