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 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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Diphtheria.
For the second year in succession there Were no known cases of diphtheria
in the Borough. Medical practitioners notified four suspected cases, but all proved
not to be diphtheria, Vincent's angina, tonsillitis and thrush being the revised
diagnoses.
Tuberculosis.
The deaths from respiratory tuberculosis in Woolwich during 1951 were 51
compared with 58 in 1950.
| Pulmonary. | Non-Pulmonary. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | Total. | M. | F. | Total. | |
| Cases notified for the first time | 135 | 97 | 232 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| Other additions to Register during the year, including transfers of patients from other areas | 61 | 86 | 147 | 6 | - | 6 |
| Cases on Register at 31st December, 1951 | 836 | 685 | 1,521 | 110 | 98 | 208 |
The number of primary notifications of tuberculosis (246) was an increase of
41 on the previous year's total.
The following table shows the decline in deaths from tuberculosis during the
last ten years, during which the number of deaths from this disease has been halved.
| Year. | Estimated Civilian Population excluding Army. | Primary Notifications. | Deaths from Tuberculosis. | Deaths per 1,000 of population. | Total Deaths all causes. | Percentage of Tuberculosis Deaths against all Deaths. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | 103,630 | 258 | 127 | 1.22 | 1,627 | 7.8 |
| 1942 | 110,140 | 249 | 102 | .92 | 1,410 | 7.2 |
| 1943 | 112,700 | 292 | 102 | .90 | 1,558 | 6.5 |
| 1944 | 110,970 | 248 | 100 | .90 | 1,611 | 6.2 |
| 1945 | 115,270 | 260 | 90 | .70 | 1,478 | 6.0 |
| 1946 | 134,420 | 247 | 83 | .61 | 1,531 | 5.4 |
| 1947 | 140,150 | 297 | 101 | .72 | 1,626 | 6.2 |
| 1948 | 142,800 | 230 | 82 | .57 | 1,573 | 5.2 |
| 1949 | 144,000 | 256 | 59 | .41 | 1,572 | 3.7 |
| 1950 | 144,000 | 205 | 58 | .40 | 1,670 | 3.4 |
| 1951 | 144,000 | 246 | 57 | .39 | 1,838 | 3.1 |
Prevention of Tuberculosis.
The Borough Council has statutory duties under the Public Health Acts concerned
with the prevention of the spread of tuberculous infection, whilst the London
County Council also carries out duties relating to the prevention of this disease,
and the care and after-care of tuberculous persons. Disinfection of patients' rooms
and possessions is carried out by the Health Department as and when necessary.
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