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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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Diphtheria. The number of confirmed cases of Diphtheria, 7, was again
the lowest ever recorded. There were no deaths. The causes of the waxing and
waning of infectious diseases are often obscure. Caution must be observed, but
even so, there must at least be some connection between this gratifying position
and the sustained efforts of the department to secure immunity of the population.
The family doctor scheme and clinic immunisation sessions continued throughout
the year. On the Register-General's estimated mid-1947 child population (29,400)
the percentage of the child population in the Borough immunised is 74-6, but for
reasons given in last year's report it is considered that this figure is low.
Whooping Cough. Immunisation against whooping cough is provided by
means of a " family doctor " scheme, under which injections are given by the
family doctor whose fees are paid by the Council.
During the year 816 children received injections compared with 426 in 1946.
Not all of these children received the full course of four injections.
Tuberculosis . The work of the Tuberculosis Dispensaries is shewn below in tabular form, with figures for 1938 and 1946 for comparative purposes. It will be noted that the work of the Dispensaries has increased considerably :—
| 1938. | 1946. | 1947. | |
| Number of primary notifications | 248 | 247 | 297 |
| Number of persons examined for first time | 1,312 | 1,691 | 1,968 |
| Number of these found to be tuberculous | 231 | 234 | 161 |
| Number of contacts examined | 512 | 403 | 505 |
| Number of contacts found to be tuberculous | 21 | 10 | 14 |
| Total number of attendances | 5,415 | 8,263 | 9,472 |
| Number of patients referred by Medical Practitioners | 437 | 926 | 1,118 |
| Number of patients referred by Medical Boards | — | 91 | 46 |
| Visits to homes of patients by Tuberculosis Visitors | 4,522 | 3,560 | 4,242 |
| Visits to homes of patients by Tuberculosis Officer | 285 | 75 | 92 |
| Number of X-ray examinations | 1,156 | 2,494 | 2,983 |
| Number of specimens of sputum examined .. | 1,059 | 970 | 1,191 |
| Number of specimens of sputum positive | 157 | 118 | 134 |
| Number of patients admitted to hospital or sanatorium | 344 | 318 | 300 |
| Number of patients given dental treatment | 38 | 5 | 22 |
| Number of cases on register at end of year | 874 | 1,263 | 1,438 |
Notifications include a number of Service and other personnel, some recently
returned from abroad, who are now receiving treatment in this country but who
have not yet returned to their homes in Woolwich, or had an opportunity of
attending the Dispensary. In addition a number have been diagnosed during
routine X-ray investigations.