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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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50
The question of staffing, both nursing and domestic, gave rise
to continued anxiety during the year, especially in regard to the
recruitment of probationers. An illustrated brochure entitled
"The Story of a Nurse" was prepared with a view to stimulating
the recruitment of probationers. Unfortunately the position
remains as grave as ever, and no real solution of the difficulty
appears possible until conditions in regard to salary and hours are
made comparable with those in industry and commerce.
Training.—During 1947, four probationers passed the final
examination for the Fever Nursing Certificate of the General
Nursing Council.
The examination fees of probationers are paid by the Council.
CLINICAL REPORT
Dr. M. Hamilton, Resident Medical Officer, reports as
follows:—
AGE AND SEX OF PATIENTS ADMITTED DURING 1947
| Under 5 years. | 5-10 years. | 10-15 years. | Over 15 years. | Total. | Grand Total. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | ||
| Scarlet Fever | 30 | 30 | 41 | 84 | 16 | 25 | 8 | 7 | 96 | 146 | 241 |
| Diphtheria | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Measles | 26 | 12 | 10 | 11 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 37 | 24 | 61 |
| Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Whooping Cough | 12 | 8 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 10 | 26 |
| Dysentery | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Acute Poliomyelitis | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | 5 | 4 | 18 | 11 | 29 |
| Phthisis | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | — | 26 | 26 |
| Other Diseases | 32 | 16 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 32 | 62 | 55 | 117 |
| Staff | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | 15 | 15 |
| Totals | 109 | 72 | 67 | 105 | 25 | 28 | 34 | 88 | 235 | 293 | 528 |
NUMBER AND NATURE OF OUTSIDE AUTHORITIES CASES ADMITTED DURING THE YEAR
| Measles. | Diphtheria. | Scarlet Whooping | Others. | Total. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fever. | Cough. | |||||
| Leyton | 26 | 4 | 93 | 12 | 55 | 190 |
| Barking | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 5 |
| Whipps Cross Hospital | 3 | — | — | — | 7 | 10 |
| Aldersbrooke Homes | 2 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 7 |
| H.M. Forces | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 31 | 4 | 97 | 12 | 69 | 213 |