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
Woolwich 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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Cases occurring in January, 1915:—
| Initials. | Age. | Sex. | Date of commencement. | Date of Notification. | Source. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L.C. | 9 | M. | Dec. 6, 1914 | Jan. 4,1915 | Milk |
| G.M. | 16 | F. | Jan. 2, 1915 | Jan. 8, „ | Milk |
| W.H. | 12 | M. | Dec. 15, 1914 | Jan. 8, „ | Milk |
| A.M. | 24 | F. | Dec. 23, „ | Jan. 11, „ | Friend, M.W. |
| C.A. | 2 | M. | Jan. 5,1915 | Jan. 14, „ | Milk |
| J.A. | 27 | M. | Jan. 2, „ | Jan. 14, | Milk |
| J.R. | 7 | M. | Jan. 18, „ | Jan. 25, „ | Mother or Sister, A.R. Died Jan. 31 |
| B.C. | 26 | F. | Jan. 10, „ | Jan. 30, „ | Milk |
| M.M. | 40 | F. | Jan. 15, „ | Jan. 29, „ | Daughter, E.M. |
| E.M. | 14 | F. | Dec. 28, 1914 or Jan.20,1915 | Feb. 2 „ | Milk |
It is seen that up till the end of the year the case-rate
was extremely low, only 5 cases occurring up till the middle
of December. At the end of December, however, a series
of 17 cases began connected with one dairy. The series
went on till February, 1915. 7 cases were notified in
December and 10 cases since. 8 of these were bacteriologically
examined and gave a positive Widal reaction and
in only one case was there reason to suspect the accuracy
of the diagnosis. It was quickly seen that the milk supply
was implicated and full particulars were obtained. The
occupier of the dairy (who will be referred to as M) has
only a small business; he purchases three churns a day
from a wholesale dairy company in Essex. This company
derives their supply from farms in the Counties of Norfolk,
Suffolk, and Essex, whence milk is sent to the North
Woolwich Station and from the station fetched by M. M
purchases his milk in association with another dairyman, N.
who takes 30 churns a day and sells it both wholesale and