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 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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44
Enteric Fever (Typhoid or Paratyphoid).
One case of paratyphoid B was notified during the year and
admitted to Hospital. It occurred in a female aged 11 years.
Despite many enquiries the source of infection was not traced.
Measles.
There was a decrease in the number of cases of measles
notified during 1946, as compared with 1945 (407), the number
being 283, of whom six only were removed to hospital. There
were no deaths recorded from this group. The 5-10 year age
group contained the largest number of notifications (123), the
majority of the remainder being spread over the 2-5 year age
period.
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 years l942 - 1946 (inclusive).
| Year. | Cases notified. | Deaths. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory | Non-respiratory | Respiratory | Non-respiratory | |
| 1942 | 67 | 11 | 22 | 2 |
| 1943 | 63 | 8 | 25 | 1 |
| 1944 | 56 | 11 | 19 | 4 |
| 1945 | 41 | 12 | 19 | 7 |
| 1946 | 41 | 9 | 10 | 3 |
(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:-
| 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1926 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 : 8 | 1 : 8 | 1 : 12 | 1 : 5 | 1 : 3 |
During 1946 no action became necessary under the Public
Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925, or Section
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.