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
Ilford 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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4)
4. Venereal Diseases.— The incidence of Venereal Disease
in Ilford is difficult to determine. Deaths usually occur from their
sequelae and are notified under such headings. In the following
table are classified the deaths notified as due to (1) Syphilis; (2) Locomotor Ataxy and General Paralysis of the Insane, which are certainly due to Syphilis; and (3) Aortic Aneurysm, which is very frequently caused by this disease.
| Ages | 0-1 | 15 | 5 15 | 15-25 | 25-85 | 35-45 | 45-55 | 55-65 | 65-75 | 75 85 | 85 up | Non-Residents in Institutions. | Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syphilis | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 9 | |
| Locomotor Ataxy | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | |
| General Paralysis of Insane | - | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 62 | 64 | |
| Aortic Aneurysm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | 2 | |
The deaths of non-residents in Institutions occurred chiefly at
Claylbury Mental Hospital and West Ham Mental Hospital, 25 per
cent. of the registered causes of death in these Institutions fell
under the above headings. Many other patients, of course, died
from incidental causes, the reason, however, for their admission
to the Mental Hospital was some venereal infection.
As regards Gonorrhoea, the prevalence of Ophthalmia
Neonatorum remains at a low figure in Ilford. The following
figures show the number of cases notified since notification of this
disease was first enforced in 1914:— 1914, 8 cases; 1915, 6 cases;
1916, 6 cases; 1917, 5 cases; 1918, 9 cases; 1919, 9 cases; 1920,
10 cases.
The diagnosis and treatment of Venereal Disease is by the
Public Health (Venereal Disease) Regulations, 1916, under the
control of the Essex County Council. Arrangements have been
made with the various London Hospitals for the free treatment
of patients, and with the London Hospital for the free examination
of bacteriological specimens submitted by doctors in the district.