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
Brentford and Chiswick 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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One case in April occurred in a child living in a Children s Home in Chiswick,
which necessitated a good deal of investigation and tracing of contacts,
but no second case occurred. Twenty-two throat swabs taken in connection with
this investigation proved negative for infection.
A case in September occurred in a Day Nursery and investigations were made
and visits paid by the Area Medical Officer. The staff of the Nursery had throat
swabs taken which proved negative for infection and no second case occurred.
Diphtheria
No cases of diphtheria occurred during the year. The last confirmed case
of diphtheria in the Borough occurred in 1948.
Information concerning immunisation against diphtheria in the Borough during 1959 has been supplied by the Area Medical Officer, and is as follows : -
| Number of children who | Age | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1 | l | 2-4 | 5-14 | ||
| 439 | 146 | 24 | 12 | 621 | |
| - | - | 1 | 14 | 15 | |
Number of children at 31.12.59 who had completed a course of diphtheria immunisation at any time before that date (i.e. at any time since 1.1.45).
| Age at 31.12.59 i.e. born in year | Under 1 1959 | 1-4 1958-55 | 5-9 1953-49 | 10-14 1948-44 | Total under 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 217 | 1,943 | 2,427 | 2,249 | 6,836 | |
| - | - | 448 | 1,189 | 1,637 |
There was a most satisfactory increase in the number of children receiving
a full course of immunisation against diphtheria during the year.
Whooping Cough
41 cases of whooping cough occurred in 1959. This figure was greater than
in the previous year, but there was no sign of outbreak. Immunisation against
whooping cough is fairly general now, the inoculation being carried out either
simultaneously with that for immunisation against diphtheria, or in series alternating
with anti-diphtheria inoculation. The fact that such an increase occurred,
however, must be observed and noted.
No deaths occurred from this disease during 1959.
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