London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Shoreditch 1934

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]

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35
Diphtheria Immunization.—The desirability of an increase in immunization
work was mentioned in the introduction to this section (page 28). At the diphtheria
immunization clinic the total number of attendances was 1,494. The number of
persons who received the primary Schick test was 188, and of these 40 were naturally
immune and were not immunized. During the year 244 of the children completed
the course of inoculations and 196 of these were tested and found immune. At
the end of the year 60 cases were still under treatment or were awaiting the final
Schick test.
In connection with this service I have to thank Dr. McGregor, Sister Pollard,
and Miss Heath, of the Sutton Branch of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, for the
work which they carried out during the year.
Diphtheria Carriers.—A number of carrier cases were met with during the year.
Most of these were of the convalescent type and the condition rapidly cleared. Twelve
were persistent carriers and these were referred to the Carrier Clinics which have
been instituted for treatment of school children at Guy's Hospital, the London Hospital
and St. Mary's Hospital.
Dysentery.
Five cases of dysentery came to the knowledge of the department during the
year. The patients were all young children and were removed to hospital from an
institution in the Borough. The diagnosis in the case of one child was subsequently
not confirmed. Enquiries did not elicit any definite facts regarding the source of
infection.

Erysipelas.

The cases certified numbered 59, and there were 4 deaths, 3 males and 1 female. The deaths occurred at the following ages:—

Between 1 year and 2 years1
Between 55 and 65 years1
Between 65 and 75 years2

The age, seasonal and ward distribution of the cases are included in the table
on page 29.

A comparison between London and Shoreditch is contained in the following table :—

Per 1,000 inhabitants.Deaths per
Attack rate.Death rate.100 cases.
London0.620.047.06
Shoreditch0.650.046.78

Forty-one cases were moved to hospital, mostly to St. Leonard's, during the
course of the year.