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
Sutton 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton]
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VENEREAL DISEASE.
In my report for 1967 attention was drawn to the nationally increased
numbers of venereal disease notifications which at that time were not
dramatically significant locally.
Notifications from Treatment Centres applicable to Sutton, of new cases during the last three years are as follows:-
| 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SYPHILIS | 3 | 7 | 5 |
| GONORRHOEA | 41 | 44 | 56 |
| OTHER VENEREAL CONDITIONS | 309 | 304 | 439 |
| TOTAL | 353 | 355 | 500 |
Venereal disease statistics are notoriously difficult to interpret
precisely because they relate to a number of clinical conditions and patients
suffering from these diseases may attend a number of treatment centres whose
criteria for notification may vary. The statistics above may well include a
number of new attendances for which no treatment was found to be necessary.
There can however, be little doubt that a real increase in the incidence is
taking place. It is not without significance that in 1969 the number of
cases notified exceeds that of measles notifications making Venereal Disease
the commonest notifiable infectious disease for the year.
MASS RADIOGRAPHY.
The number of persons x-rayed by the Mass Radiography Unit during its
visit to sites in the Borough varies greatly from year to year.
I am indebted to the Director of the Unit for the following statistics:-
| 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total x-rayed | (5,420) | 11,888 | 2,822 | 11,006 |
| Males | (2,380) | 5,803 | 1,351 | Not available No breakdown |
| Females | (3,040) | 6,085 | 1,471 | this year. |
| 1968 Male | 1968 Female | 1969 Male | 1969 Female | |
| Cases of Lung Cancer | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Cases of Pulmonary T.B. | 1 | Nil | Nil | 1 |
All health screening procedures are open to the criticism that findings
relate only to the day upon which screening takes place and carry no guarantee
that the future is secure. The number of defects discovered during the
period under review is low and the cost relatively high. Nevertheless,
mass x-ray when reviewed as part of general health screening activities is a
valuable procedure. Efforts to make the techniques more productive if
positive findings should be directed towards encouraging those age groups
most at risk to make use of the service and this will be done when more of
the department's resources can be deployed on well-person screening.
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