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
Carshalton 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Carshalton]
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Poliomyelitis
Polio was less prevalent in the district. Four cases were notified
compared with 14 in the year before. The number has varied each year
between one and a maximum of fifteen in the first epidemic year of 1947.
The average number of cases since that year has been 7.5, so comparatively
1957 had a low attack rate.
All four cases were accompanied by some degree of paralysis. Details were as follows:—
| Sex | Age | Date of Onset | Notes and Resultant disability in May, 1958 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | 27 | 16th March | Complete recovery after weakness of left arm. |
| M | 7 | 31st July | Bulbar type—some paralysis of palate, face and neck from which he has completely recovered. |
| M | 45 | 13th August | Bulbar paralysis with serious involvement of respiration. Still has extensive weakness affecting both shoulders, right arm and chest. Treatment continuing. |
| F | 19 | 4th November | Initially had weakness of right arm and left leg. Now recovered except for very slight weakness of arm. |
In May, 1957, the Ministry of Health's Scheme of anti-polio vaccination
was extended to include children born in 1955 and 1956 and in
November it was further extended to include children born in the years
1943 to 1946 inclusive, children born in 1957 on reaching the age of six
months and expectant mothers. This makes the priority groups for which
this treatment is now available as follows:—
Children born in 1943 to 1956 inclusive.
Children born in 1957 on reaching the age of six months.
Expectant mothers.
Progress in carrying out vaccination was limited by the rate at which
vaccine became available and it was not possible to start on the treatment of
the extended groups until after the turn of the year. The number of children
who received their second injection of vaccine during the year was 1,985.
In addition, 140 children had received one injection by the 31st
December, 1957.
The number of individuals who by the end of 1957 had received two injections at any time
| Age at 31/12/57. i.e. Born in the years | 0-4 yrs. 1953-57 | 5-9 yrs. 1948-52 | 10-14 yrs. 1943-47 | 15 yrs. & over Before 1943 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number given 2 injections | 520 | 1,329 | 289 | 104 | 2,242 |
| Estimated midyear Population | 3,770 | 8,950 | |||
| Percentage children vaccinated | 13.8 | 18.0 | |||