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
Richmond upon Thames 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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This Department was informed and the remains of the turkey were immediately
sent to the Public Health Laboratory for analysis. Clostridium welchii was isolated.
This organism is usually found to be present in the live animal as distinct from being
infected by careless handling. The organism is highly resistant to cooking, and thrives
on warm heat.
This case is typical of food poisoning caused by Clostridium welchii. Almost
certainly the live bird carried the organism which cooking failed to destroy. One person
only was mildly affected when the meat was eaten hot, but when the carcass was left to
slowly cool the organisms multipled with the result that when the meat was consumed
cold all persons were seriously affected.
Previous years figures are as follows:—
| 1962 | 14 | 1967 | 3 |
| 1963 | 6 | 1968 | 30 |
| 1964 | 8 | 1969 | 22 |
| 1965 | 6 | 1970 | 11 |
| 1966 | — |
Infective Jaundice.
Thirty-seven cases were notified during the year of which ten were admitted to
hospital In one episode a mother and two sons were involved and in another three
children in the same family were affected, but all other cases were isolated incidents.
In December 1970 arrangements were made with West Middlesex Hospital to
assist in a pilot survey of the epidemiological aspects of the disease and this trial is still
in progress.
The age distribution of the notified cases was as follows:
| M. | F. | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 year | — | — | — |
| 1 year | — | — | — |
| 2 years | 1 | — | 1 |
| 3 years | — | 1 | 1 |
| 4 years | — | — | — |
| 5—9 years | — | — | — |
| 10—14 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 15—24 | 8 | 6 | 14 |
| 25—34 „ | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 35—44 „ | — | — | — |
| 45—64 „ | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 65+ | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 22 | 15 | 37 |
Smallpox.
No cases of smallpox were notified during the year.
Under the Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations, 1966, and the Public Health
(Ships) Regulations, 1966 arrivals in this country from endemic areas who are not in
possession of valid international certificates of vaccination against Smallpox are placed
under surveillance by the Port or Airport Medical Officer for a period of fourteen days.
43 such cases of persons proceeding to addresses situated in the Borough were
notified during the year. All were kept under surveillance for the stipulated period.
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