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
Southall 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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| Site | Total | Under 10 | 10-20 | 20-30 | 30-40 | 40-50 | 50-60 | 60-70 | 70-80 | 80 + | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 53 | '54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 52 | 53 | 54 | |
| Breast | 18 | 17 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Lung | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | — | 2 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Stomach | 9 | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | 4 | 3 | 3 | - | 3 | - | |
| Uterus | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | |||||
| Intestine | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 3 | 3 | i | 5 | 3 | 3 | - | ||||
| Bladder | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other | 18 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | - | 6 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | ||||||
| Totals | 57 | 57 | 43 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 12 | |||||||
These figures are inclusive of the deaths occuring at St Bernard's Hospital, Norwood Hall and Vine Cottage.
The Tables show over the last three years a predominance of lung cancer in the male
and of breast cancer in the female.
Disinfection
In cases of infectious disease, rooms, clothing, etc., were disinfected—rooms by sealing
and fumigating by a formalin preparation; clothing, bedding and other infected articles
by removal for disinfection in the Council's disinfector at Havelock Road.
List of premises, articles, etc., disinfected during the year.
Rooms 28 Eiderdowns 9
Beds 24 Pillows 12
Blankets 60 Plimsolls (routine disinfection
Mattresses 20 during holiday for Feather-
Sheets 40 stone Road School) (pairs) 381
Books 75 Miscellaneous articles 20
Smallpox Disinfection. In the event of smallpox occurring within the district and
disinfection being required on a considerable scale, arrangements have been made whereby
this could be carried out. An agreement was made with the North-West Metropolitan
Regional Hospital Board whereby in such an event the staff of St. John's Hospital, Uxbridge,
would carry out this work.
Provision of Antitoxin and Vaccine Lymph
The Council provides diphtheria antitoxin and tetanus antitoxin free to local practitioners
in the district. These antitoxins are obtainable from the Public Health Department
during office hours and by direct request to the Medical Officer of Health at other
times. In the event of emergency supplies of vaccine lymph being required, they are
obtainable at very short notice.
Vermin and Scabies
During 1954, no cases of vermin infestation were brought to the Public Health Department
for cleansing. Treatment and cleansing can be arranged, if necessary, at Hammersmith
Cleansing Station by courtesy of Hammersmith Borough Council. The figures
appear to suggest a satisfactory state of freedom from infestation in Southall, and this is
also indicated by the fact that according to the findings in Table XI, more children were
examined for vermin in the schools and very many fewer found to be infested as compared
with 1953. This information is available by courtesy of the County Medical Officer.
19