Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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Of the above 1,222 notifications, 73 cases removed to
hospital were found not to be suffering from the disease notified.
These referred to Scarlet Fever 14; Diphtheria 31; Cerebro
Spinal Fever 1; Measles 7; WhooDing Cough 7; Dysentery 11;
Puerperal Fever 1; Erysipelas 1.
DEATHS FROM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
There were 68 deaths, i.e. Cerebro-Spinal Fever 3;
Pneumonia 62; Whooping Cough 2; Typhoid Fever 1.
TYPHUS FEVER
A case of Typhus Fever was notified to me on the 4th
June 1945. The patient was a medical student residing at the
London Hospital, who was one of 95 London medical students who
went voluntarily to the Belsen Concentration Camp in Germany
at the beginning of May, to help in the relief work at the camp.
The London Hospital students returned on the 28th May by air to
Croydon and proceeded to the London Hospital and to their own
homes.
I was notified by the County Borough of Croydon of the
arrival of these students, all of whom had been in close contact
with Typhus cases in Belsen. These contacts had been closely
followed up and thus it was ascertained one student was ill and
a bed patient in the London Hospital. On further investigation
of this case, typhus was suspected, and I visited the London
Hospital on the 4th June. A consultant was obtained, Typhus
confirmed, and the patient removed to an Infectious Disease
Hospital forthwith.
I immediately put into operation the special Typhus
precautions involving the collection and disinfection of all
articles of clothing, bedding, etc. and bathing contacts.
Prompt notifications (by telegrams where necessary)
were despatched to the Medical Officer of Health of seventeen
Local Authorities involved by reason of the fact that the districts
had been visited by medical student contacts.
The medical student concerned recovered in hospital
and no further case of typhus occurred.
DIPTHERIA IMMUNISATION
The number of attendances at the diphtheria immunisation
clinics increased considerably this year.
In addition to the diphtheria immunisation clinic every
Friday afternoon at 35 Stepney Green, E.I., facilities have now
been provided at most of the Infant Welfare Centres for those
children who attend them.
NUMBER OF SESSIONS HELD: 51
| B.C. | L.C.C. | TOTAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Und. 5 | Over 5. | Und 5 | Over 5 | ||
| Number of Post Schick Tests | 544 | - | - | - | 544 |
| Number of Immunisation Certificates given | 502 | — | — | - | 502 |
| Number of attendances of Children for Schick or immunisation | 2569 | - | - | - | 2569 |
| Number of children who completed the full course of immunisation | 882 | - | 12 | 73 | 967 |
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