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 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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The Registrar-General gives the statistics for the 52 weeks ended 31st December, 1953, and these are given in the following table together with the case rates per 1,000 population both for England and Wales and for Walthamstow:—
| Disease. | Scarlet Fever. | Diphtheria. | Enteric Fever. | Pneumonia. | Puerperal Pyrexia. | Erysipelas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 289 | — | 1 | 121 | 82 | 27 |
| Case rate:— | ||||||
| England and Wales | 1.39 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.84 | Not available | 0.14 |
| Walthamstow | 2.42 | —- | 0.00 | 1.01 | 0.69 | 0.23 |
The rate for Puerperal Pyrexia is better expressed in relation
to the number of births (i.e., live and still-births) registered than
to population. When calculated on this basis the rate is:—
Walthamstow 54.96
England and Wales 18.23
DIPHTHERIA
Thirteen cases were removed to hospital for observation, but
none was confirmed as diphtheria. Most of the cases were considered
to be "tonsillitis" but two were cases of glandular fever and one
each of Vincent's angina and malaria.
There has been no death from diphtheria in the Borough for
seven years.
Diphtheria remains a deadly disease, but unfortunately, in its
absence, complacency continues. Every baby should be immunised
before reaching the age of one year.
Diphtheria immunisation is referred to more fully in Section G
of the Report in regard to Part III Health Services.
"GASTRIC" INFLUENZA OR
EPIDEMIC NAUSEA AND VOMITING
During 1953, one "outbreak" was reported in January at a
Girls’ High School. It was found to have extended back into 1952
and approximately four staff and nineteen children had been affected
in 1952. During January approxiamtely six other staff and twenty
other children were affected, but few, if any of these, had obtained
medical advice. Later two members of the staff and three pupils
were reported to be suffering from jaundice.
In mid-November, 18 children were reported to be away from