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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In at least five cases there was evidence of contact with another case of tuberculosis. Five of the cases had not been seen at the local Chest Clinic.
| No. | Sex | Age | Date Notified | Location of Tuberculosis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. | 70 | 30.1.52 | Cervical Glands |
| 2 | M. | 27 | 13.2.52 | Knee |
| 3 | F. | 61 | 21.2.52 | Cervical Adenitis |
| 4 | F. | 14 | 27.2.52 | Cervical Adenitis |
| 5 | F. | 39 | 17.4.52 | Iridocyclitis |
| 6 | F. | 2 | 6.5.52 | Spine, Glands and Lungs |
| 7 | M. | 17 | 12.6.52 | Spine |
| 8 | F. | 33 | 17.6.52 | Lumbar Spine |
| 9 | F. | 15 | 18.7.52 | Sacro-iliac Joint |
| 10 | F. | 29 | 31.7.52 | Lymph Glands |
| 11 | F. | 22 | 24.9.52 | Endometrium |
| 12 | F. | 6 | 30.9.52 | Cervical Glands |
| 13 | M. | 31 | 25.11.52 | Bladder |
| 14 | M. | 67 | 25.11.52 | Spine |
| 15 | F. | 5½ | 24.12.52 | Meninges |
Prevention of Tuberculosis.
The various preventive measures detailed in the Report for
1950 continued in subsequent years and were shared between the
Borough Council as the Sanitary Authority, and as the Excepted
District for Education, and by the Health Area Sub-Committee
administering the Part III Services under the National Health
Service Act.
Those services provided by the Borough Council included the
following:—
1. Rehousing on Medical Grounds.—Pulmonary Tuberculosis
continued to constitute the only ground for top priority, the
criterion being the infectivity of the patient, overcrowding on the
standards of the Housing Act, 1936, and the presence in the same
dwelling of young children or adolescents. At the end of the year
and with the help and co-operation of the Chest Physician and of
the Housing Manager, all outstanding, urgent and infectious cases
had been dealt with by rehousing.
During 1952 the number of families rehoused was 237, which
included 18 families where there was a medical recommendation
in respect of tuberculosis, i.e., say eight per cent.
2. "Mobile Meals"—Mobile Meals, where necessary, were
provided by the " Meals on Wheels " service, organised by the Old
People's Welfare Committee.
3. Sanitary Inspection.—Each case of tuberculosis is, on
notification, visited by the Sanitary Inspector as well as by the