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 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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The following table gives the age groups of new cases notified:—
| Age Periods. | Formal Notifications. Number of Primary Notifications of New Cases. | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | 1- 2 | 2-5 | 5-10 | 10-15 | 15- 20 | 20-25 | 25-35 | 35-45 | 45- 55 | 55-65 | 65-75 | 75& up. | Total (all age | |
| Pulmonary | ||||||||||||||
| Males | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 5 | — | 88 |
| Females | — | — | — | — | 4 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 4 | — | — | 53 |
| Non-Pulmonary— Males | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | 2 | _ | 1 | _ | _ | _ | 3 |
| Females | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 7 |
| Total | — | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 8 | 34 | 27 | 31 | 19 | 6 | — | 151 |
Table No. 17.
Table of Notifications and Deaths compared with Population—Borough of Woolwich,
| 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | 112,700 | 292 | 102 | .90 | 1,558 | 6.6 |
| 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 |
| 1952 | 146,000 | 195 | 39 | .26 | 1,667 | 2.3 |
| 1953 | 146,000 | 156 | 29 | .20 | 1,569 | 1.8 |
| 1954 | 145,000 | 200 | 21 | .14 | 1,443 | 1.4 |
| 1955 | 145,000 | 154 | 23 | .15 | 1,537 | 1.4 |
Duties concerned with the prevention of the spread of infection are carried out
by the Public Health Department, and for this purpose Medical Practitioners notify
all new cases coming to their knowledge. Duties regarding investigation and
treatment are carried out by the local Chest Clinics, which are situated at Maxey
Road, Plumstead, and at Carnegie Gardens, Eltham, being administered by the
Regional Hospital Board.
Disinfection and Disinfestation.
During 1955 the Department carried out disinfection of 406 rooms after cases
of infectious diseases, and of these 33 rooms had been occupied by tuberculous
persons. Altogether, 1,375 inspections regarding verminous conditions were made
and 450 rooms were disinfested for vermin. 29 van loads of furniture were fumigated
during the year.
Many requests were again received from residents in the Borough wishing to
dispose of bedding and furniture which was often in a dirty and sometimes verminous
condition. This bedding and furniture was in the main that formerly used by
persons removed to hospitals or institutions, or deceased. The articles were removed
to and destroyed at the Plumstead Destructor. There were 91 such cases dealt
40