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
Chingford 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chingford]
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Food and Drugs Act, 1938.
The following articles were submitted for chemical examination during the year in supplementation of the Essex County Council's Food and Drugs service.
| No. | Sample. | Result. |
|---|---|---|
| 264 | Custard Powder | Satisfactory. |
| 265 | Sausages | Fit for human consumption. |
| 266 | Lime Juice Cordial | Contained objectionable quantities of zinc. |
| 267 | Fairy Cake Mixture | Nothing harmful or injurious present in mixture. |
| 268 | Do. | Do. |
| 269 | "Handy" Brand Machine Skimmed Milk | Suitable for human consumption. |
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF
INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES
Scarlet Fever
The following table shows the total number of cases notified
during the year, the percentage of cases removed to hospital and
the corresponding figures for the previous four years :
1938 1939 1940 1941 1942
Cases notified 66 144 47 32 186
Percentage removed to hospital 72 66 72 91 82
Towards the end of the year Scarlet Fever became prevalent
in this district as it was generally throughout the country. The
disease was mild in type and in many cases, in the absence of a
well-defined rash, was apt to be considered lightly by parents and
isolation was not effected; consequently, control of the spread
of infection was difficult.
Diphtheria.
During the year four cases of Diphtheria occurred, of which
three were removed to hospital. These patients, none of whom
had been immunised, were aged 5½ years, 8 years, 15 years and
36 years. This equals the low level of cases reached the previous
year. Immunisation against Diphtheria must surely be given some
credit for this continuing improvement.
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