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 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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PREVENTION OF ILLNESS - CARE AND AFTER CARE
TUBERCULOSIS.
INCIDENCE. 96 new cases of tuberculosis (56 males and 40 females) were notified
during 1959- This compares with 109 in the 1958.
MORTALITY. The number of deaths caused by tuberculosis during the year was 13
amounting to O.78 per cent of the deaths from all causes giving a death rate from
tuberculosis of 0.08 per 1,000 of the population, as against 0.09 in 1958.
West Ham Tuberculosis Voluntary After Care Committee
This Committee continued its excellent work during 1959, and I would like to express
bur indebtedness to Its members for the help which they have consistently given to the
needs and problems of patients suffering from tuberculosis.
The Consultant Chest Physician, Dr. D.J. Lawless, has provided the following information
Examination of contacts of known cases of tuberculosis.
As soon after notification as possible all Immediate contacts of new cases of
tuberculosis are examined at the clinic i.e. members of the family and others in close
association, and are thereafter kept under periodic review until all danger of infection
is past. Children who are found to be tuberculin negative are given B. C.G. vaccination
where the parents agree.
Number of contacts examined in relation to number of notified cases.
| New Contacts examined | New notified cases on clinic register | Average number of contacts examined per notified case | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 403 | 177 | 2.28 |
| 1950 | 421 | 186 | 2.26 |
| 1951 | 643 | 196 | 3.28 |
| 1952 | 794 | 202 | 3.93 |
| 1953 | 916 | 226 | 4.05 |
| 1954 | 996 | 191 | 5.13 |
| 1955 | 605 | 157 | 3.85 |
| 1956 | 581 | 132 | 4.40 |
| 1957 | 529 | 111 | 4.76 |
| 1958 | 529 | 114 | 4.64 |
| 1959 | 473 | 102 | 4.64 |
Employment and rehabilitation of tuberculosis cases.
Liaison continues with the Ministry of Labour and National Service with regard to
the rehabilitation and re-employment of cases of tuberculosis. In the case of unemployable
patients, occupational therapy Is provided by the Local Authority. Suitable patients, on
completion of their treatment, are given the opportunity of training in various occupations
at Ministry of Labour establishments.
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