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 1940
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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The supplying firm was instructed to warn all its customers
as to the danger of making 'lemonade ice' in similar trays.
The original manufacturers were naturally most anxious to
investigate the matter, but the supplying firm, unfortunately.,
proved non-co-operative in regard to tracing back the persons
responsible for the re-plating of the trays with cadmium.
The quantitative toxicity of cadmium has apparently not yet
been clearly established but it is sufficiently dangerous for
its use to be prohibited in colouring matters for foodstuffs.
F.- INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL.
RENOVATIONS, ETC.- Various works of renovation and maintenance were carried out during 1940.
| Scarlet Fever | Diphtheria | Other Diseases | Tuber culosis | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remaining in Hospital 1st. January | 3 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 24 |
| Admitted during year | 128 | 90 | 43 | 23 | 284 |
| Discharged during year | 121 | 93 | 31 | 12 | 257 |
| Died during year | Nil | 3 | 3 | 10 | 16 |
| Remaining in hospital 31st.December. | 10 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 35 |
DAILY AVERAGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL. (Including Tuberculosis cases).
| January | 28.2 | April | 22.0 | July | 35.8 | October | 39.3 |
| February | 31.9 | May | 32.4 | August | 36.2 | November | 33.3 |
| March | 28.2 | June | 33.1 | September | 33.5 | December | 29.5 |
| Average whole year 31.9. | |||||||
CLINICAL REPORT.
Dr.Hamilton, Resident Medical Officer, reports as follows:-AGS AMD SEX OF PATIENTS ADMITTED DURING 1940.
| Disease | Under 5 yrs. | 5-10 yrs. | 10-15 yrs. | Over 15 yrs. | Total | Total. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | ||
| Scarlet Fever | 17 | 16 | 35 | 24 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 70 | 58 | 128 |
| Diphtheria | 20 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 38 | 52 | 90 |
| Measles | 7 | 7 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 7 | 8 | 15 |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | . | _ | - | - | 23 | - | 23 | 23 | |||
| Staff | — | — | - | - | - | - | - | 17 | - | 17 | 17 |
| Other diseases | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 26 | 23 | 49 |
| Totals | 53 | 46 | 51 | 40 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 78 | 141 | 181 | 322 |
AGS AND SEX AT DEATH.
Sixteen deaths occurred, details of which are given below:-
10 Pulmunary Tuberculosis 10 Females aged 53,40,19,22,37,20,
43,25,37,44.
2 Laryngeal Diphtheria 1 Male - 2½-years, and 1 Male -
8 months.
1 Faucial Diphtheria 1 Female aged 17 years.
1 Heart Disease 1 Female aged 61 years (Staff) .
1 Broncho-pneumonia 1 Female aged,3 years.
1 Anterior poliomyelitis 1 Male aged 2½ years.
23 .