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

View report page

Kingston upon Thames 1950

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

This page requires JavaScript

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.

The following table shows comparative figures of notified cases and deaths for the years 1940 - 1950 (inclusive):-

YearCases NotifiedDeaths
RespiratoryNon RespiratoryTotalRespiratoryNon RespiratoryTotal
194037104725126
19414495319322
194267117822224
19436387125126
194456116719423
194541125319726
19464195010313
19474334617421
19485535822224
19494064610111
195037114812-12

(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