Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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49
ACUTE PNEUMONIA
January 18
February 16
March 8
April 7
May 10
June 1
St. James Street 21
High Street 8
Hoe Street 13
July 3
August 1
September 2
October 5
November 6
December 7
Wood Street 15
Hale End 15
Higham Hill 12
INFLUENZA
During the first quarter of 1951 there were seven deaths
from influenza in January, five in February, and one in March,
compared with none for the same quarter in 1948 which was a low
year "GASTRIC" INFLUENZA
In September some 49 cases of sickness were reported at a
Girls' School. Absences were mainly only for one day. Twelve
of the children did not take school meals. Detailed visits, inspections,
and examinations were carried out by the Medical, Nursing
and Sanitary staffs. Food and milk samples were examined but no
definite conclusion was reached as to the nature of the infection
nor of the cause. Probably it was a virus infection usually referred
to either as gastric influenza or winter vomiting.
In November attention was drawn to an epidemic of vomiting
with occasional sickness, which had affected an infants' school since
September. The total number of cases was 52, roughly half of
which had occurred in the previous fortnight.
The usual enquiries and inspections, both at the school and at
children's homes, were carried out and the position was discussed
with the Consultant in Pathology for the area, who suggested that
in view of the negative pathological findings, the condition was
probably one of " winter vomiting."
Some 72 children were visited by the School Nurse, and the
total number of cases was 84 before the outbreak ended naturally
at the beginning of December.
MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION
Five cases were notified, the particulars being as follows:—
Sex | Age | Ward | Hospital | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. M. | 21 yrs. | James Street | Yes | Recovered. |
2. M. | 26 yrs. | Higham Hill | Yes | Recovered. |
3. M. | 2½ yrs. | Higham Hill | Yes | Recovered. |
4. F. | 1½ yrs. | Higham Hill | Yes | Recovered. |
5. F. | 43 yrs. | James Street | Yes | Recovered. |
By contrast, in 1950 of 50 cases, 2 were fatal.
MALARIA
Two cases were notified but both were recurrent cases of
malaria contracted abroad.