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 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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14
THE FIFTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
on the
MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
By W. F. TWINING McMATH, M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.H.,
Physician-Superintendent.
I beg to submit herewith the Annual Report on the Municipal Hospital for the year 1946, which is the first,
since I commenced duties on the 12th October, 1946, as Physician-Superintendent.
During the year under review the Laboratory, which had been an integral part of the Hospital, and staffed
by Hospital personnel, was taken over by the Medical Research Council, and since 15th July, 1946, has been directly
managed by them, from the Central Public Laboratory, Hendon.
The total number of patients admitted to Hospital during 1946 was 1,823, as compared with 1,774 in 1945.
CEREBRO-SPINAL FEVER.
5 cases of Cerebro-spinal Fever were admitted to Hospital during the year. 1 death occurred.
DIPHTHERIA.
64 cases of authenticated Diphtheria were admitted during 1946, and of these 6 were Service Sick. 39 patients,
who were certified as suffering from this disease, were finally diagnosed as: Tonsillitis 26, Vincent's Angina 3,
Catarrhal Laryngitis 3, Marasmus and Gastro-enteritis 1, Acute Rhinitis 1, Encephalitis 2, Sub-mental Abscess 1,
Scarlet Fever 1, Carbuncle in Nose 1. No deaths occurred.
The following table compares the admissions during the past 27 years with the present year :—
| Total Admissions | Average Admissions per Annum | Total Deaths | Average No. of Deaths per Annum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1919-1939 7,636 | 636 | 375 | 18 |
| 1940-1945 (War years) 442 | 74 | 14 | 2 |
| 1946 64 | - | - | - |
The peak year was 1922, with 673 cases and 56 deaths.
ENTERIC FEVER.
There was 1 case of this disease admitted during the year. This patient died.
PUERPERAL INFECTIONS
The 32 Puerperal cases admitted to Hospital were diagnosed as follows :—
Puerperal Pyrexia 18 Septicaemia 1
Perineal Sepsis 1 Breast Abscess 10
Miscarriage 1 Mastitis (bilateral) 1
SCARLET FEVER.
248 cases were admitted during the year, including 2 Service Sick, compared with 188 in 1945, 312 in 1944,
and 453 in 1943.
OTHER DISEASES. 1946.
Measles 92
Whooping Cough 43
Pneumonia 1
Broncho-Pneumonia 7
Bronchitis 12
Tonsillitis 47
Vincent's Angina 6
Glandular Fever 2
Rubella 4
Chicken-Pox 35
Urticaria 5
Papular Rash, Non-infectious 1
Drug Rash 1
Scabies 1
Impetigo 10
Erythema Multiform 1
Septic Spots 1
Catarrhal Laryngitis 4
Laryngitis and Bronchitis 1
Meningitis 1
Benign Lymphocytic Meningitis 1
Tubercular Meningitis 1
Encephalitis 3
Oto-hydrocephalitis 1
Poliomyelitis 1
Herpes Zoster 3
Tubercular Peritonitis 1
Pelvic Peritonitis 1
Otitis Media 4
Mastoiditis 1
Otorrhoea 3
Mumps 10
Bilateral Frontal Sinusitis 1
Pharyngitis 1