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
Kingston upon Thames 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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43
Enteric Fever (Typhoid or Paratyphoid). No notifications
of enteric fever were received during the year.
Measles. There was a great increase in the number of cases
notified during the year, 407 in all, of whom 20 were admitted
to hospital. Most of the cases were in the 1-5 age group,
205 being notified, and a further 163 in the age group
5-10 years.
Two deaths occurred - One under 1 year and one between
1 and 2 years.
Apart from the two deaths and four cases of pneumonia
in the age group 1-2 years, the condition was comparatively
mild but quickly spread through the susceptible population
of pre-school and school children.
Tuberculosis. Cases of tuberculosis are dealt with from
the treatment point of view by the Surrey County Council.
Good liaison exists between your Medical Officer, and
Tuberculosis Officer. Each case notified is visited by
an officer of the Public Health Department, and all contacts
are advised to consult the County Tuberculosis Officer. The
efficiency of notification is good and there have been no
cases of wilful neglect or refusal to notify.
The following table shows comparative figures of notified cases and deaths for the yearsl941 - 1945 (inclusive).
| Year | Cases Notified. | Deaths. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory | Non-respiratory | Respiratory | Non-respiratory | |
| 1941 | 44 | 9 | 19 | 3 |
| 1942 | 67 | 11 | 22 | 2 |
| 1943 | 63 | 8 | 25 | 1 |
| 1944 | 56 | 11 | 19 | 4 |
| 1945 | 41 | 12 | 19 | 7 |
(Note - An analysis of the total notified cases in age
groups is shewn on the following page).
The ratio of non-notified to total deaths is as follows:-
| 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 : 3 | 1 : 8 | 1 : 8 | 1 : 12 | 1 : 5 |
During 1945 no action became necessary under the
Public Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925,
or Section 172 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
Disinfection of premises is carried out in all cases
of death, or when the patients are admitted to hospital or
sanatoria.
Very close contact is maintained with the Kingston and
District Tuberculosis Care Committee, of which body the
Medical Officer of Health is Chairman. Considerable assistance
has been given to patients, and there is no doubt that
the Care Committee is fulfilling its proper function of
helping towards the rehabilitation of patients.