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 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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43
With regard to the single cases, although the causal
organisms were isolated there was no indication as to which
article of food provided the vehicle of infection.
Tuberculosis.
In accordance with the national trend the number of new
cases of tuberculosis notified continues to fall. In 1958
in Kingston 18 cases were reported, 16 of which referred to
the lungs. The corresponding figures for 1957 were 27 and
26, and in no previous year has the total been so low as 18.
During the year the South West Regional Hospital Board
X-Ray Unit resumed its annual visit to the town, after
missing during 1957, and 7,632 people (3,444 males - 4,188
females) were x-rayed. A total of 8 cases (5 males - 3
females) of active pulmonary tuberculosis was discovered and
referred for immediate treatment. These figures do not
necessarily relate only to Kingston residents.
Whilst there is considerable satisfaction to be derived
from the steady decline in the number of new cases appearing
there are still very many cases, a large proportion of whom
are chronic, on the register and receiving treatment and
attention at the Chest Clinic. Breakdowns and consequent
periods of infectivity are continually possible in these cases
and the infection is therefore still within the community.
It will be many years before the combined effects of improved
living conditions of the population, advances in therapeutic
treatment, facility for early detection of tuberculosis by
public mass x-ray sessions and B.C.G. vaccination of school
children, bring the disease to the point of eradication.
The following table shows comparative figures of notified cases and deaths for the years 1949 to 1958 (inclusive):-
| Year | Cases Notified | Deaths | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory | Non-Respiratory | Total | Respiratory | Non-respiratory | Total | |
| 1949 | 40 | 6 | 46 | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| 1950 | 37 | 11 | 48 | 12 | — | 12 |
| 1951 | 38 | 9 | 47 | 12 | 1 | 13 |
| 1952 | 43 | 2 | 45 | 9 | 2 | 11 |
| 1953 | 37 | 5 | 42 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| 1954 | 26 | 4 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 1955 | 14 | 6 | 20 | 6 | — | 6 |
| 1956 | 25 | 2 | 27 | 2 | — | 2 |
| 1957 | 26 | 1 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| 1958 | 16 | 2 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
The efficiency of notification has been good and there
is no reason to suspect refusal or neglect to notify.
Throughout the year no action became necessary under the
Public Health (Prevention of Tuberculosis) Regulations 1925,
or Section 172 of the Public Health Act 1936. These regulations
relate to the restriction of tuberculosis sufferers
from employment in the handling of milk, and the compulsory
removal to hospital in certain circumstances of persons
suffering from tuberculosis respectively.