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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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49
SCHOOL "OUTBREAKS"
The year produced an average number of "Outbreaks" which
are fully reported in the Report of the Borough School Medical
Officer.
POLIOMYELITIS
Nine suspected cases of poliomyelitis were reported and six
were admitted to hospital; of these three were confirmed as paralytic
cases. There was apparently little residual paralysis except in one
case where there was slight paralysis of the left leg.
In addition, an adult female, who was admitted to hospital in
June with marked neck stiffness was finally diagnosed as a case of
encephalomyelitis of the "Royal Free" type.
Onset in the confirmed cases occurred in February, August and
November.
Poliomyelitis first became notifiable on September 1st, 1912 : the highest incidence was in 1916 when the total notified was 27.
| Under | AOF. G ROUPS | Totals | S. Jms' | High | WARDS | Hale | Hi. H | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15- | 25- | 45- | Hoe | Wood | |||||||||
| Year | 1 | 1-5 | 5-15 | 25 | 45 | 65 | St. | St. | St. | St. | End | ||
| 1946 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1947 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 3 | — | 24 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| 1948 | - | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| 1949 | 1 | 6 | 10 | — | 2 | — | 19 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 1950 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 1951 | — | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 9 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1952 | — | 5 | 3 | — | 2 | — | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1953 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1954 | |||||||||||||
| 1955 | — | 4 | 9 | 4 | 1 | — | 18 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 1()56 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 |
Medical authorities are agreed that the severity of the disease
and the extent of paralysis are aggravated by over exertion and
undue fatigue. This applies especially to children and young adults.
Rest and avoidance of fatigue are advisable when there are
suspicious symptoms and signs during epidemic periods.
ENTERIC FEVER
Five cases of paratyphoid fever and o e of typhoid fever
occurred in Walthamstow residents, but four were notified from
hospitals outside the Borough and are, therefore, excluded from
the notification totals.
The five cases of paratyphoid type "B" were all associated
with cream filled cakes made by two confectioners apparently using
foreign egg products.
The ages and onset are as follows:—
| Sex | Age | Ward | Onset | Bacteriology | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Male | 7 yrs. | H.H. | 26.4.56 | Paratyphoid "B" "Taunton' |
| 2 | „ | 13 yrs. | W. | 1.5.56 | do. |
| 3 | Female | 10 yrs. | Hi. | 24.5.56 | do. |
| 4 | „ | 1 yr. | H.H. | 23.5.56 | do. |
| 5 | „ | 31 yrs. | H.H. | 10.6.56 | do. |