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
Wimbledon 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—Three cases of ophthalmia neonatorum
were notified. No impairment of vision resulted.
Malaria.—No notifications of this disease were received.
LABORATORY WORK.
3,969 pathological specimens were examined in the laboratory
at the Health Centre during 1930 by the medical staff. Most
of these specimens were swabs taken from the nose and throat
which were examined for the presence of diphtheria bacilli.
The following additional specimens, principally from the Isolation
Hospital, were also examined at the laboratory:—
Smears 2
Blood 1
Ringworm 2
Sputum 1
Cerebro Spinal Fluids 1
Urine Specimens 24
The number of specimens of throat swabs, sputum, and blood submitted by the general practitioners of the Borough to Mr. J. H. Johnston, M.Sc., F.I.C., for bacteriological examination during the year in doubtful cases of diphtheria, pulmonary tuberculosis and typhoid fever, and the result of such examinations are given below.
| Bacteria Found. | Bacteria Not Found | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria Swabs | 94 | 680 | 774 |
| Phthisis (Sputum) | 13 | 107 | 120 |
| Pus (Ophthalmia Neonatorum) | _ | 4 | 4 |
| Typhoid (Blood, Urine and Faeces) | Reaction | Reaction | Total |
| Obtained. | Not Obtained. | ||
| 3 | 40 | 43 | |
| Virulence Tests | Positive. | Negative. | Total. |
| 4 | 37 | 41 |
Chemical Work.—Mr. J. H. Johnston, M.Sc., F.I.C.,
carries out the analytical work in connection with preliminary
samples taken under the Food and Drugs Acts, the analysis of
water, gas, and sewage effluents required by the Wimbledon
Corporation, and of food samples suspected of contamination or
adulteration. The reports of the Public Analyst under the Food
and Drugs Acts are embodied in the Annual Report of the County
Medical Officer.
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