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
Harrow 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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Summary of changes in register—1972
| Pulmonary | Non-Pulmonary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | F | M | F | |
| No. on register January 1st, 1972 | 829 | 756 | 98 | 164 |
| No. of new cases added | 22 | 26 | 4 | 13 |
| No. of cases other than on a Form "A" | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| No. of cases restored to register | — | — | — | — |
| No. of cases removed | 59 | 40 | — | 4 |
| No. on register December 31st, 1972 | 799 | 749 | 103 | 170 |
Details of cases removed from register
| Pulmonary | Non-Pulmonary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | F | M | F | |
| Left District | 17 | 7 | — | — |
| Deaths | 16 | 5 | — | — |
| Recovered | 18 | 24 | — | 1 |
| De-notified | 1 | — | — | — |
| Lost Sight Of | 7 | 4 | — | 3 |
Deaths
Tuberculosis caused the death of 2 males and 1 female local residents.
Prevention
For many years, three of the vital factors in the prevention of tuberculosis
have been firstly, epidemiological investigation of contacts of
actual cases, secondly, routine vaccination of school children and, thirdly,
the use of mass X-Ray facilities in attempting to diagnose new cases of
infection.
The epidemiological investigation of contacts of actual cases consists
of routine medical examinations and tests carried out on all those with
whom the patient has been in contact. These are carried out by the staff
of the chest clinic. Those living with the patient are also helped by the
social support given in their homes by the tuberculosis visitors attached
to these clinics.
At this point I would like to take this opportunity and record my
appreciation and grateful thanks to Dr. Grenville Mathers and Dr.
Trenchard for their co-operation, help and advice, which has been given
so willingly at all times.
Mass X-Ray
The Mass x-ray units offer a free chest x-ray to any person over the
age of 14 years. No appointment or medical note is required. Because the
service is so freely available, it attracts patients, who would otherwise not