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

East Ham 1929

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]

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18
1. Prior to admission to Schools of Recovery, to ensure
freedom from infection.
2. In suspicious cases seen at the Clinics or at School.
3. In cases where an undetected source of infection appeared
to be present in a Class or School.

Table: D. "Swabs" taken at the Borough Infectious Diseases Hospital for verification of diagnosis in doubtful cases, etc:

D. "Swabs" taken at the Borough Infectious Diseases Hospital for verification of diagnosis in doubtful cases, etc:

A.B.C.D.
1.2.3.
Total.No. Pos.Total.No. Pos.Total.No. Pos.Total.No. Pos.Total.No. Pos.Total.No. Pos.
1,48033614158184171861039181

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The fact that only 22 per cent of the "swabs," included under
Column A., showed the presence of diphtheria bacilli is a satisfactory
indication that the Medical Practitioners realise the very
insidious nature of the signs and symptoms of diphtheria in its
incipient stages: unfortunately many parents are not aware of the
"silent" manner in which the disease progresses and so fail to
obtain medical attention at the outset, and this in spite of the
fact that advice upon the subject has been, and is being, emphasized
again and again at every opportunity.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION.
117 examinations have been made during the year upon
request of the various committees of the Town Council, in addition
to 156 examinations conducted on behalf of the Education Committee
as reported on p 124.
OUT-DOOR RELIEF.
The amount of poor relief paid by the West Ham Guardians
in the East Ham Relief Districts was £32,987, as compared with
£43,611 for the previous year.