London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Kingston upon Thames 1947

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]

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59
Scabies - During the year the scheme for treating cases and
contacts of scabies continued to operate as described in
previous reports.
The premises described as Coombe Road Cleansing Station
were vacated on 19.4.47, as the accommodation was required
by the Kingston Victoria Hospital. It was found possible,
however, to establish the station in a building at Burton
Road which was erected during the war for civil defence
purposes, and the Cleansing Station re-opened there on 28.4.47.
On the 31st. December, 1947, Regulation 33A of the
Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, under which the Scabies
Order was made, expired, and accordingly the Scabies Order
ceased to be operative after that date. The Regulation,
and the Scabies Order, were introduced as an emergency
war-time measure to combat an exceptional increase of
scabies, which threatened to be detrimental to the war
effort. The Minister of Health was of the view that it
would not be warrantable to keep in force, any longer, the
drastic powers of entry into residential premises, and of
compulsory examination and treatment, which were justified
under the stress of war.
Accordingly, there was, after 31st. December, 1947
a reversion to the normal statutory powers, as contained
in the Public Health Acts for dealing with verminous
condit ions.
It was not necessary during 1947 to invoke the special
powers given under the Scabies Order for the examination
of persons or premises, but active measures were taken to
ensure that all contacts were followed up.
It will be noticed that the number of cases and
contacts treated decreased during 1947, and this was anticipated,
but the system of voluntary notification by
doctors is continuing, and the service has proved to be
of great value.
The cleansing was undertaken by part-time attendants
working under supervision of Health Visitors.
The following tables show the numbers of persons treated
during the year 1947, and the fe ur preceding years.

Cases of Scabies and Contacts Treated.

YearNo. of cases and contacts treated atTotal cases and contacts treated.
First Aid Post "A"First Aid Post "B"Coombe Road Cleansing Station and (later) Burton Road
1943349261-610
1944575368-943
1945Closed 31.12.44592-592
1946-Closed 31.1. 46342342
1947--196196