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
Walthamstow 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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| Month. | St James' Street | High Street. | Hoe Street. | Wood Street. | Hale End. | Higham Hill. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | |
| February | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 3 | |
| March | 1 | 4 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| April | 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| May | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| June | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | |
| July | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | |
| August | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 5 | 4 | |
| September | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | |
| October | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| November | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | 6 | 4 | |
| December | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Totals | 1935 | 32 | 33 | 18 | 25 | 25 | 30 |
| 1934 | 25 | 20 | 44 | 54 | 50 | 51 | |
The percentage of cases removed to Hospital in 1935 was
92.7, against 90.8 in 1934. No case was refused admission,
and whenever possible pressure was exerted to secure the
admission of all cases to Hospital unless cases were of the
non-clinical variety. Home treatment of diphtheria can rarely
be adequate unless the disease is extremely mild.
Antitoxin continued to be available for free issue to
medical practititioners at the Public Health Department
during office hours and at all times at the Fire Station, Forest
Road, and at Mr. Gaze's, 10, The Avenue, Highams Park.
During 1935, a total of 174 phials, containing 1,216,000 units
of Diphtheria Antitoxin, and 23 phials, containing 230 c.cs.
of Scarlet Fever Antitoxin, was issued.
Diphtheria notifications have shown a progressive decline
since 1932 when, by coincidence, immunisation was begun.
In view of the comparatively small number of immunisations
carried out in the area, it would not be fair to claim more
than a contributory effect for this practice. At the same
time, in the absence of immunisation to the extent of some
50 per cent.of the population under, say, 15 years, the incidence
of diphtheria will almost certainly show an increase in
future years.
The table below shows the number of immune (i.e.,
Schick negative and protected) persons each year, diphtheria
notifications, attack rates and mortality:—