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 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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37
(c) Diphtheria.—One case only was notified in 1949. On further investigation
in the Ilford Isolation Hospital it was not confirmed.
| Cases | Vision Unimpaired | Vision Impaired | Total Blindness | Deaths | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notified | Treated At Home In Hospital | |||||
| 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
(e) Enteric Fever.—One case only was notified during the year, a girl
of 13 years. The case proved to be one of Paratyphoid fever " B." The
patient was admitted to the Ilford Isolation Hospital and made a good
recovery.
(f) Acute Anterior Poliomyelitis and Acute Polio-Encephalitis.—Thirtyone
cases of the former and two cases of the latter diseases were notified
during 1949.
Thirty-two patients were admitted to Hospital as follows: —
Ilford Isolation Hospital, 20; King George Hospital, 3; Rush Green Hospital, 6; Chingford Isolation Hospital, 1; Plaistow Fever Hospital, 1; London Hospital, 1. One case was nursed at home.
| Under | I—5 | 5—15 | 15—25 | 25 years | Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i year | years | years | years | and over | ||
| Males | - | 6 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 20 |
| Females | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 13 |
| Residual paralysis | 1 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 17 |
| Transferred to special Orthopaedic Units | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Referred to Orthopaedic Clinics for Physiotherapy | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13 |
| Treated in " Iron Lung " | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Fatal | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
One case was referred to an Ophthalmic Clinic. Twelve cases recovered
with no residual paralysis.
The first case was admitted to Hospital on 22nd July. In view of the
possibility of further cases occurring local doctors were circulated with
details of the facilities available for diagnosis and treatment.
Precautions were taken in Day Nurseries, Schools, Infant Welfare
Centres and Treatment Clinics. The operations for the removal of tonsils
and adenoids were suspended for a period of approximately three months.
A statement for the guidance of the public was issued in the local press.
A Day Nursery Nurse, aged 22 years, contracted the disease, but despite
admission to the Ilford Isolation Hospital and treatment in the " Iron Lung,"
died two days later.
The epidemic of 1949 was locally as severe as that of 1947 and considerably
exceeded those of pre-war years. From a national standpoint the
incidence was not so severe as that of 1947.
Arrangements were made with the Central Office for Information for
the Ministry of Health film "His Fighting Chance," dealing with Acute
Poliomyelitis, to be shown to the members of the Public Health Committee
and others on the 10th October.