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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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Dr. Frank Marsh, Pathologist in charge of the Laboratory at Epping, has kindly supplied the following information in regard to work done for Walthamstow:—
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faeces and rectal swabs | 13 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 5 | - | 3 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 54 |
| Agglutinations | 6 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 70 |
| Rhesus, Group and Kahn | 19 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 138 |
| Urine | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 38 |
| Nose & Throat Swabs | 4 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 109 |
| Ear Swabs | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | 2 |
| Food | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 |
| Haemoglobin estimation | 15 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 106 |
| Hairs | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | |
| Wash Water | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 |
| Patches | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 |
| TOTAL | 63 | 46 | 62 | 31 | 33 | 44 | 44 | 34 | 46 | 55 | 30 | 36 | 524 |
18
In December, 1952, a new and well-equipped laboratory was
provided by the Regional Hospital Board in the former school
premises adjoining Connaught Hospital.
3. Ambulance Facilities
These are available from a local depot in Walthamstow which
is administered centrally from Chelmsford, via the Control Centre
at Ilford.
4. Scabies Clinic
The arrangements at the Special Treatment Centre detailed in
previous reports were continued.
One session per week is held at the Clinic premises which
are situated at the back of the Public Baths in High Street. Treatment
is by appointment only, i.e., through the family doctor or
the Health Department.
The number of cases treated during 1952 was 44, involving
69 treatments.
Facilities remained available to Leyton patients on the same
basis as those from Wanstead/Woodford and the Forest Division,
i.e., at a fee of 7/6d. per treatment, payable by the Local Sanitary
Authority. There were 42 such treatments in 1952 out of the
total specified above.
5. Hospital Accommodation
(a) Acute Cases.—There were no major changes in 1952 in
regard to the hospital accommodation available for the inhabitants
of the Borough.