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 1941
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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15
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Notifications. The total number of notifications received was 1,523. They
relate to the following diseases :—
TABLE No. 5.
| Diphtheria | 68 | Ophthalmia Neonatorum | 18 |
| Scarlet fever | 88 | Encephalitis Lethargica | 3 |
| Enteric fever (including Paratyphoid) | 11 | Dysentery | 25 |
| Cerebrospinal Meningitis | 43 | ||
| Puerperal fever | 1 | Poliomyelitis | 2 |
| Puerperal pyrexia | 11 | Polio-Encephalitis | — |
| Erysipelas | 35 | Zymotic Enteritis | 22 |
| Smallpox | — | Measles | 538 |
| Pneumonia | 238 | Whooping Cough | 419 |
| Malaria | 1 |
Diphtheria. The amount of anti-toxin supplied to medical practitioners
during the year was 8,000 units. The number of children immunised under the
Council's scheme was 1,441. In addition, 1,278 school children were immunised
by medical officers of the London County Council.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum. Eighteen cases were notified, 6 of whom were
admitted to hospital. Nursing assistance was provided under the Council's scheme
in 12 cases.
Cerebrospinal Meningitis. Forty-three cases were notified compared with
32 in 1940 and 9 in 1939. Four of these were military. All the cases were removed
to hospital, and in 11 cases the diagnosis was not confirmed. There were 5 deaths.
Tuberculosis. The number of new cases examined was 889. Of these 166
were definitely tuberculous. 259 contacts were examined, of whom 18 were definitely
tuberculous. Sessions were resumed at Maxey Road Dispensary in April, temporary
accommodation being found there in premises previously used by the Tuberculosis
Care Committee. The total number of attendances at the Woolwich and Eltham
Dispensaries was 3,475. 3,167 visits were made by nurses to homes of patients,
and 270 domiciliary visits were paid by the Tuberculosis Officer or an Assistant
Medical Officer. 360 cases were referred to the Dispensaries by medical practitioners
and 108 by medical boards. 1,449 specimens of sputum were examined, of which 204
were positive. The number of X-ray examinations made was 1,175. There were
763 cases on the tuberculosis register on the 31st December. 81 patients received
artificial pneumothorax treatment. Additional nourishment was granted in 121
instances. Eight patients received dental treatment under the Council's scheme.
323 patients were admitted to hospitals, sanatoria, or training colonies:- The Tuberculosis
Care Committee continued their meetings and rendered valuable assistance
in various way to the needy tuberculous and their families.