London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Carshalton 1949

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]

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Diphtheria.
Only one case of diphtheria was notified, giving an attack rate of
0.01 per thousand population. The patient, a male adult of 49 years,
had a mixed infection of "Gravis" Diphtheria and Vincent's Angina,
and recovered after two months' treatment in hospital.

The incidence of diphtheria among the resident population since 1934, when the immunisation scheme commenced in the district, was

as follows:—

YearCasesIncidence per 1,000 PopulationYearCasesIncidence per 1,000 Population
1934661.731942230.40
1935581.13194370.12
1936530.95194470.12
1937470.801945150.27
1938330.57194640.06
1939140.23194720.03
1940450.77194810.01
1941260.45194910.01

The number of swabs examined for diphtheria was 45.
Diphtheria Immunisation.
The scheme for diphtheria immunisation, which is the responsibility
of the County Council, is by agreement directed by the Medical Officer
of Health of the District Council. The arrangements were as described
in the previous Report, namely, facilities at the infant welfare and school
clinics and a programme of immunisation sessions held in the infant and
junior schools of the district in alternate terms. The object is to secure
initial treatment by the age of one year and to reinforce this by further
single injections before, or on entry to, school and thereafter at three-year
intervals until the child leaves the junior school. Under this procedure
the majority of children now receive initial treatment in infancy and two
or three reinforcing injections during school life.
The technique is to give two doses of 0.5 c.c. A.P.T. at one month's
interval for primary treatment and 0.2 c.c. A.P.T. or 1 c.c. T.A.F. for
reinforcing injections according to the age of the child.

During 1949, 915 residents were immunised as follows:—

Age at Year End.Total.
Under 112345-910-14
At Council Clinics284555614732565
In Carshalton Schools38729119
Private Practitioners17148405122215
456039619119233899
Less outward transfers211738
Plus inward transfers131232654
Carshalton Residents456049920119442915