London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Woolwich 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
This page requires JavaScript
25
Scabies. There were 122 notified cases of scabies during 1948. The drop
in scabies cases and consequently in treatments required, has been as remarkable
as the rise in the early part of the war. The Scabies' Order, 1941, which was introduced
as an emergency war-time measure to combat an exceptional increase of
scabies, ceased to be operative from the 1st January, 1948. All possible steps
continue to be taken in tracing the existence of cases and in taking the appropriate
measures to remedy them.
Laboratory Facilities. The Council's bacteriological work has been carried
out in the Pathological Department of the Woolwich Memorial Hospital. During
the year, 439 throat and nasal swabs were examined; 1,552 specimens of sputum; 34
specimens of faeces ; 1 specimen of urine ; 10 specimens of blood; and 2 rectal swabs.
The practice of submitting samples of water from public swimming baths for
examination was continued. 56 such samples were submitted during the year and
the results were satisfactory.
Tuberculosis. The number of primary notifications during the year was 230,
compared with 297 in 1947. The number of persons examined for the first time was
2,016 (1,968 in 1947), and of these 169 were found to be tuberculous. There were
1,508 cases on the register at the end of the year, being an increase of 70 on the
number on the register at the end of 1947.
The work of the Dispensary at Maxey Road, Plumstead, and the branch Dispensary at 11, Carnecke Gardens, Eltham, during the period 1st January to 4th July, 1948, is shown below in tabular form:—
| Number of contacts examined | 232 |
| Number of contacts found to be tuberculous | 4 |
| Total number of attendances | 5,265 |
| Number of patients referred by medical practitioners | 653 |
| Number of patients referred by medical boards | 25 |
| Visits to homes of patients by Tuberculosis Visitors | 2,912 |
| Visits to homes of patients by Tuberculosis Officer | 90 |
| Number of X-ray examinations | 1,737 |
| Number of specimens of sputum examined | 601 |
| Number of specimens of sputum positive | 73 |
| Number of patients admitted to hospital or sanatorium | 202 |
| Number of attendances for dental treatment | 31 |
Notifications include a number of Service and other personnel. In addition,
a number have been diagnosed during routine X-ray investigations.
The artificial pneumo-thorax clinic at St. Nicholas' Hospital continued its
work during the year. The total number of attendances at the clinic was 2,035.
Clinics at other London hospitals were attended by 87 patients, who received 2,024
refills.
The number of applications for maintenance allowances received up to the
4th July, 1948, was 76. On the 5th July, 107 patients who had been receiving maintenance
allowances came under the jurisdiction of the National Assistance Board.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee continued its excellent work of providing for
the after-care of patients and assistance to dependants. Four quarterly meetings
of the full Committee were held, and the General Purposes Sub-Committee met on
11 occasions. Assistance is being given in many ways, including the supply of pocket