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 1954

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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Table: B.C.G. Vaccination of Schoolchildren.—The most important step taken in 1954 was the commencement of B.C.G. vaccination of schoolchildren in the year preceding their fourteenth birthday. The scheme is fully described in the report of the School Medical Officer and by the end of the year 825 acceptances had been received from 1,548 children eligible, i.e. over 53%.Details are as follows :—

B.C.G. Vaccination of Schoolchildren.—The most important step taken in 1954 was the commencement of B.C.G. vaccination of schoolchildren in the year preceding their fourteenth birthday. The scheme is fully described in the report of the School Medical Officer and by the end of the year 825 acceptances had been received from 1,548 children eligible, i.e. over 53%.

Details are as follows :—

Mantoux positive145
Mantoux negative635
Absent from test45
825

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Vaccinated 630, absent 5.
Nursing arrangements at Chest Clinic.
Three Tuberculosis Visitors provided by the County Council
are employed at the Chest Clinic. They combine nursing duties
for the Regional Hospital Board at the Chest Clinic and domiciliary
visits to patients for the County Council. The appointment of an
extra clerk by the Regional Hospital Board in order to deal with
patients' records, appointments and filing, served to reduce the amount
of clerical work previously done by the Tuberculosis Visitors, and
thereby allowing more time for home visiting.
Library Facilities.
Nine Tuberculous patients were loaned 118 books during 1954
by the service provided by the St. John and Red Cross library
service.
Contact Examinations.
First examinations of contacts in 1954 were 140 examinations
to 67 total notifications. In 1953 there were 181 examinations to
117 notifications.
Rehabilitation of Tuberculosis Patients.
Financial responsibility for the rehabilitation of two cases at
the Papworth Village Settlement continued until 31st March, 1954,
when the patients had completed three years' colonisation.
CONVALESCENCE FOR ADULTS
The total of cases sent away for recuperative convalescence was
84. The length of convalescence was two weeks in 81 cases, three
weeks in 1 case and four weeks in 1 case. One patient was discharged
after 3 days as unsuitable. Recovery of cost or part-cost
was made.