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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Carshalton T.B. Care Committee
Established more than 20 years ago this voluntary Committee has, in
the many and varied ways which are beyond the scope of the official
schemes, provided help to Carshalton tuberculous patients and their
families which for many years have numbered more than 800. Although
both incidence of new cases and mortality from this disease are responding
very satisfactorily to modern medical techniques, the falling death rate from
this cause has the effect, until this infection is finally eradicated, of increasing
the number of tuberculous families all of whom may need the economic
and social assistance of the Care Committee. This is due to the increased
expectation of life for the tuberculous now achieved by more successful
treatment.
Except for a small grant of £50 from the County Council in whom the
statutory responsibility for care and after care is vested, the whole income is
raised by voluntary effort mainly by the sale of Christmas seals. This
source of income is now however seriously threatened since many other
charities have recently adopted the seals sale scheme as a means of raising
funds.
In 1957, disbursements by way of help to patients and their families
exceeded £600. The help provided as indicated in the Committee's annual
report was of the following nature:—
Provision of clothing—household goods—bedding—food—training
equipment—courses of instruction.
Fares to visit relatives in hospital.
Pocket money whilst in hospital.
Loan of typewriters and other occupational equipment.
Provision of holidays, especially for children.
Christmas presents and outings.
The Committee also in addition to its direct assistance makes the
necessary inquiries and secures all the help which is available from the
various statutory bodies and other voluntary associations.
Meteorology
The following rainfall was recorded at the Council's Pumping Station in Buckhurst Avenue.
| Rainfall 1957 | Amount in ins. | Rainfall 1957 | Amount in ins. |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.53 | July | 2.44 |
| February | 2.77 | August | 2.99 |
| March | 0.69 | September | 2.55 |
| April | 0.24 | October | 1.65 |
| May | 1.32 | November | 2.61 |
| June | 1.00 | December | 1.95 |
| Total | 21.74 |
The spring water flow over the weir on the head of the River Wandle in
the grounds of the Grove was as follows :—
Total Spring flow during the year (Jan.—Dec. 1957) = 843.63 million
gallons.
Minimum Spring flow 0.18 million gallons/day on 10th December.
Maximum Spring flow 5.85 million gallons/day on 5th April.
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