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
West Ham 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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nurse contracted a mild attack of scarlet fever after receiving one
inoculation against the disease. 74 other nurses and maids had
been warded during the year with various minor complaints; all
recovered. All the probationers are now Schick and Dick tested
on their arrival for duty, and those found susceptible to diphtheria
or scarlet fever are immunised. No nurse contracted diphtheria,
and only the one nurse, mentioned above, contracted scarlet fever.
These results are very favourable as compared with the previous
year, when 8 nurses suffered from diphtheria and 7 suffered from
scarlet fever.
Gate Cases. The following is a record of cases suspected to be suffering from infectious disease which were brought direct for diagnosis:—
| Number sent by medical practitioners | 108 | |
| Number of these admitted | 82 | |
| Number brought by relatives | 485 | |
| Number of these admitted | 79 | |
| Number from other hospitals | 51 | |
| Number of these admitted | 17 | |
| Total number of cases examined | 704 | |
| Total number of cases admitted | 178 | |
Bacteriological Work. In addition to the routine bacteriological work of the Hospital, the following examinations were made for medical practitioners:—
| Throat swabs for diphtheria | 2171 | |
| Number which proved positive | 301 | |
| Nasal swabs for diphtheria | 96 | |
| Number which proved positive | 12 | |
| Other swabs for diphtheria | 7 | |
| Number which proved positive | 2 | |
| Widal Tests | 5 | |
| Number which proved positive | 1 | |
| Total number of examinations | 2279 | |
| Total number of positive results | 310 | |
Ambulances and Disinfecting Vans. The number of journeys
made by the two motor ambulances during the year was 2,074.
the mileage run was 10,370.
In the collection and delivery of infected clothing the two
motor vans made 3,304 journeys, and the mileage run was 13,550.
All minor repairs to the motor vehicles are carried out by the
Engineer's staff.
D. MacINTYRE,
Medical Superintendent.
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