Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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37
Food Poisoning.
One case of food poisoning was notified during 1950.
It was not possible to determine the cause of the illness,
which did not take a severe course, the patient quickly
recovering. No similar related cases occurred and investigation
did not produce any evidence concerning the agent producing the
symptoms upon which the diagnosis was based.
Tuberculosis.
Cases of tuberculosis are dealt with by the South Western
Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, and by the Surrey County
Council. Good liaison exists between your Medical Officer
and the Chest Physician, and his staff, and with the Surrey
County Council. Each case notified is visited by an officer
of the Public Health Department, and all contacts are advised
to consult the Chest Physician. The efficiency of notification
is good and there have been no cases of wilful neglect
or refusal to notify.
Year | Cases Notified | Deaths | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Respiratory | Non Respiratory | Total | Respiratory | Non Respiratory | Total | |
78 | ||||||
43 | 46 | |||||
55 | 58 | |||||
40 | 6 | 46 | ||||
37 |
(Note - An analysis of the total notified cases during
1950 in age groups is shown on the following page)
The ratio of non-notified cases to total deaths for 1950
and the preceding four years is as follows:-
1946 1947 1948 1949 1950
1 : 3 1:7 1: 24 1: 11 1:6
Daring 1950 no action became necessary under the Public
Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations, 1925, or
Section 172 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
Very close contact is maintained with the Kingston and
District Tuberculosis Care Committee, whose field of work is
coincidental with the North Central Division. The Medical
Officer of Health is Chairman of the Care Committee and
considerable assistance has been given to patients. There
is no doubt that this body is fulfilling its function of
helping towards the rehabilitation of patients.
Tuberculosis is an infectious condition, and the treatment
required to cure pulmonary tuberculosis involves a long period
of rest. When the infection comes to the bread-winner it is
a very serious matter for the family and puts a great