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 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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Continued from previous pages...
| Under 5 years | 5-14 years | Total (0-14 years) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected | 3,222 | 11,280 | 14,502 |
| Estimated population | 8,040 | 14,030 | 22,070 |
| Percentage protected | 40.1 | 80.4 | 65.7 |
The Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health has stated
it is a sad reflection that in this country during the war
far more children under 15 were killed by this preventable disease
than by enemy bombs.''
Birthday Letters.—The arrangements as detailed in the 1944
Report were continued.
Immunisation by General Practitioners.—Diphtheria prophylactic
is available to general practitioners. During 1945, 144 c.cs.
of alum precipitated toxoid were issued; this quantity is sufficient
to protect 144 children.
MUNICIPAL LABORATORY.
The following numbers of Diphtheria swabs were examined during 1945:—
| Swabs. | Negative. | Positive. | Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Practitioners | 166 | 9 | 175 |
| Health Department | 38 | 14 | 52 |
| School Medical Department | 202 | 2 | 204 |
| Totals | 406 | 25 | 431 |
The total number of diphtheria specimens examined in 1944
was 38,1.
In addition, 50 specimens of urine were examined, as compared
with 6 in 1944.
Ministry of Health Emergency Laboratory Service.
This service provides facilities for examination of pathological
specimens. 925 specimens were examined for local practitioners
during 1945, as follows:—
Diphtheria Swabs, 431*; Dysentery Specimens, 448; Ringworm
Specimens, 9; Miscellaneous, 37.
*These were re-examinations of swabs sent on from Walthamstow.
VACCINATION.
Mr. E. Sharp, Vaccination Officer for the area, has furnished
the following return for 1945:—