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 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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65
The number of deaths was two, which gives a death rate of
3.64 per cent. for hospital treated cases. The cause of death in
both cases was Broncho-Pneumonia. It is hoped that in future
the seriousness of this disease will be more fully realized. In the
treatment of Pneumonia which is the most important complication
of Measles, the use of the new oxygen tent has been very
successful in several cases.
The following operations were performed:—
| Exploration of Chest | 1 |
| Lumbar Puncture | 5 |
| Mastoidectomy | 3 |
| Incision of abscesses | 6 |
Bacteriological Examinations.
During the year 2635 Swabs were examined in the Hospital
for Diphtheria Bacilli and of this number 335 were found to be
positive.
| Examination of Cerebro Spinal fluid | 3 |
| Bacteriological examination of faeces | 26 |
| Blood, Bacteriological examination | 2 |
| Bacteriological examination of Urine | 10 |
| Histological and Bacteriological examination of post mortem specimems | 1 |
| Blood Widal test and other Agglutination reactions | 6 |
| Virulence tests for Diphtheria Bacilli | 8 |
Diphtheria Immunisation.
During the year 57 patients were immunised by means of a
single dose of Alum-precipitated Diphtheria Toxoid.
Diphtheria Carriers.
Three patients who proved to be virulent carriers following
an attack of Diphtheria, were sent to the Guy's Hospital Diphtheria
carrier clinic, which later reported them free from infection.