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
Shoreditch 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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36
The death rates from diphtheria in Shoreditch and London are compared
in the table on page 35 of this Report.
The number of cases notified per 1,000 population are compared in the following table:—
| 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 | 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | 1.37 | 1.05 | 1.07 | 1.23 | 1.31 | 1.33 | 1.55 | 1.59 | 1.86 | 1.26 | |
| London | 3.37 | 2.27 | 2.31 | 2.73 | 2.96 | 2.71 | 2.75 | 2.68 | 3.1 | 1.94 | 1.87 |
| Shoreditch | 4.1 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 |
During the year the number of bacteriological examinations made for
the purpose of detecting the diphtheria bacillus numbered 673.
Home enquiries were made in the majority of cases notified and it was
possible to trace the source of infection in 27 instances.
Much can be done to lower the mortality and to lessen the serious after
effects of the disease by securing the prompt removal of patients to hospital
and by advising those who have been exposed to infection to seek medical aid
if suspicious symptoms develop.
It is usually possible for cases to be removed to one of the London
County Council Fever Hospitals within an hour of the receipt of a telephone
message from the doctor in attendance, so that there is a minimum of delay
in the commencement of anti-toxin treatment. All the cases notified during
the year were removed to hospital.
If for any reason the patient cannot at once be removed to hospital,
anti-toxin and syringe can be obtained from the Public Health Department,
now installed in the new building at 8-14, Laburnum Street, or after office
hours from the Town Hall.
As has been explained in previous reports, diphtheria is sometimes spread
by "carriers", that is, by individuals who though not ill themselves carry the
diphtheria germ in the nose or throat. These cases are most commonly found
amongst children, and the London County Council have made arrangements
under which school children can be treated for this condition at special clinics
at Guy's, the London, and St. Mary's Hospitals. On one or two occasions
it has been possible to arrange for children who were below school age to
attend these clinics.
This section of the report would be incomplete if reference were not made
to the very important fact that children can be protected from diphtheria by
means of an easily administered skin injection. There are several clinics
under the control of Public Health Authorities in London and in the Provinces
to which parents are invited to bring their children to be protected in
this way.