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 1955

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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58
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 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.
The preventive services operated by the Borough Council
include the following:—Rehousing on Medical Grounds, "Mobile
Meals" where necessary and Sanitary Inspection, both to improve
living conditions and to investigate possible sources of infection.

Table: MORBIDITYThe arrangement under which a statement of new claims for Sickness Benefit is received weekly from the Ministry of National Insurance has provided an interesting measure of morbidity. During the past four years the weekly averages of new claims were as follows. The extraordinary consistency of those for the months of June to November will be noted.

MORBIDITY

The arrangement under which a statement of new claims for Sickness Benefit is received weekly from the Ministry of National Insurance has provided an interesting measure of morbidity. During the past four years the weekly averages of new claims were as follows. The extraordinary consistency of those for the months of June to November will be noted.

1952195319541955
January464747500660
February433832513632
March390401375474
April350300267300
May270232314263
June214237252264
July200197220224
August205201209228
September262257284271
October369370348363
November311360366370
December426291299350
Average per week323363327360

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(The large number of claims in January and February, 1953,
apparently reflected the delayed effects of the severe "smog" experienced
in December, 1952.)
After a cold and wet winter, the weather became cold but dry
and sunny in March. Then followed almost continued sunshine,
even into October, followed by mild, wet weather up to Christmas.
In spite of this amazing summer, the average weekly sickness claims
in the months June to October inclusive were slightly more during
1955 than during 1954 and 10% more than in 1952 and 1953.