London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kingston upon Thames 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
This page requires JavaScript
51
Puerperal Pyrexia continued.
During 1960, 89 cases were notified, 19 of which referred to Kingston residents, and 89 of whom were notified from Kingston hospital. These figures compare with 72, 24 and 70 respectively for 1959. An analysis for the years back to 1956 is shown below.
| Cases | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a)Total notified | 88 | 59 | 60 | 72 | 89 |
| (b) Number included in (a) of | |||||
| (i) Kingston residents | 21 | 8 | 18 | 24 | 19 |
| (ii) Extra district residents | 67 | 51 | 42 | 48 | 70 |
| (c) Number included in (a) notified from Kingston hospital | 88 | 59 | 60 | 70 | 89 |
| (d) Number included in (a) notified by private doctors | – | – | – | 2 | – |
| (e) Number of cases included in (d) removed to hospital other than included in (c) | – | – | – | – | – |
Smallpox.
There were no cases recorded in Kingston during 1960.
Constant vigilance is however necessary and in particular surveillance
has to be maintained over persons arriving from abroad particularly
when they have come by air from countries where outbreaks have occurred.
Most countries insist upon an International Certificate of
Vaccination being produced before travellers are allowed to land.
In this connection. a large number of certificates issued by Kingston
doctors are officially authenticated in the Public Health Department
each year in acoordance with regulations.
Smallpox vaccination is voluntary and every effort is made to
maintain a high immunity level in the population by vaccinating infants
during their early months. This is carried out by general practitioners
and at the Surrey County Council clinics. Vaccination and re-vaccination
is available free for persons of all ages. The figures of infants
vaccinated in 1960 showed a marked increase over previous years, giving
an approximate percentage of children vaccinated in their first year of
nearly 80%. All Kingston doctors are kept constantly informed of the
position and every effort is made to obtain and to retain a high level
of vaccination.