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
Chigwell 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chigwell]
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Otherwise, it was a satisfactory year from the point of view
of infectious disease. Measles, whooping cough, dysentery and
pneumonia notifications were all considerably less than in the
previous year. Of the 7 cases of poliomyelitis notified, 1 case,
a man of 23 years, was severe, and is making slow but steady
progress; 1 child is still receiving treatment; the other milder
cases have made a good recovery.
TUBERCULOSIS.
The number of established cases of tuberculosis entering the
District under re-housing schemes was again considerably reduced—34
compared with 75 in 1951 and 157 in 1950. The incidence
of fresh cases among residents of the new estates,
which gave rise to some anxiety two or three years ago, can no
longer be considered significantly higher than that for the
District as a whole. This result was not unexpected as immigration—both
total and tuberculous, has declined with the
near-completion of the large estates.
MASS
The figures for the Mass Radiography survey held at Manford Way School, Chigwell in January, 1952 were as follows:—
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number X-rayed | 186 | 228 | 414 |
| Larger Films | 7 | 12 | 19 |
| Men | Women | ||
| Active bi-lateral post primary | 2 | Nil | |
| Inactive post-primary | Nil | 8 | |
Anti-tuberculosis Vaccine Research Trial:
During 1952, the Anti-Tuberculosis vaccine Clinical trials,
organised by the Medical Research Council, were continued.
This scheme has been designed to determine whether an antituberculosis
vaccine, BCG, at present used in Britain for nurses
and others in contact with the disease, is of sufficient value for
the general population for its widespread use to be advised.
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