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

Heston and Isleworth 1924

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]

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22
Ministry of Health. It was agreed that the only proper course was
to carry out my suggestion. I undertook to swab all the inmates
and report on the cultures, provided the Managers of the Institution
indemnified the Council against any expenditure in connection with
the work. Had I realised what an enormous job the examination
of 1200 swabs meant, I should have let some laboratory do it,
despite the desire for uniform results./ The Officials of the Ministry
lent every assistance that was wanted; Dr. Scott examining all
positive and doubtful cases for virulence. The work was pushed on
as fast as possible, and both I and my assistant, Dr. Roberts,spent a
great deal more time than usual over each case to ensure that
nothing was missed.
The result was that after two days working from early morning
till after 10 at night our eyes gave out and we had to slow down,
the cases being finished in nine days.

Table: The net result was that 9 virulent carriers were discovered, 1 of whom was the Sister-in-Charga of the Infirmary.

The net result was that 9 virulent carriers were discovered, 1 of whom was the Sister-in-Charga of the Infirmary.

The cases were No. 1 aged6—Nasal.
No. 2 „2
No. 3 „7
No. 4 ,,12—Nose and Throat.
No. 5 „12—Throat.
No. 6 „14
No. 7 „11
No. 8 „Sister Mildred.—Nose and Throat.
No. 9 „17—Nose. Driver of car.

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In addition to the 1063 original cultures, 137 doubtful cases
were sub-cultured, and if there was still any doubt (some of the
short forms giving rise to difficulty) they were sent to Dr. Scott at
the Ministry of Health bnd tested for virulency.
All the cases of virulent carriers were isolated in the School
Infirmary and treated by the Medical Officer to the School.
Following the swabbing, all the boys and the majority of the
Staff of the School were Schick Tested as were also the Public
Health, Medical and Nursing Staff. The Assistant Medical Officer
Health, Medical and Nursing Staff. The Assistant Medical Officer
and three Nurses were found positive and the final results were:—