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
Merton 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]
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Two hundred and forty-eight contacts were examined for the
first time during the year and six were found to be tuberculous. Three
old contacts were also found to be tuberculous.
Mass X-Ray
The Mass Radiography Unit of the Regional Hospital Board,
in addition to providing a regular service for general practitioners,
carried out surveys on industrial sites, and sessions were held for the
general public. The service is of great value in the early diagnosis
of pulmonary tuberculosis and non-tuberculous abnormalities.
The results are tabulated below:—
| Number X-rayed | Pulmonary T.B. found | Primary Lung Cancer found | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | Females | Males | Females | Males | Females | |
| General Practitioner Service | 1,081 | 912 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 1 |
| Public and Industrial Sessions | 3,200 | 4,118 | 2 | 4 | 6 | - |
| Totals | 4,281 | 5,030 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 1 |
The figures in respect of public and industrial sessions do not apply
to Merton residents only, as the service is available to any member of the
public.
Deaths
There were five deaths from respiratory tuberculosis during the
year. The table of causes of death on page 17 gives an analysis by
age and sex.
The death rates per 1,000 population were 0.03 respiratory and
nil non-respiratory, compared with 0.03 and 0.01 respectively for
England and Wales. The comparable figures for the Borough for
1967 were 0.04 and 0.005.
After-Care of the Tuberculous
The Authority makes an annual grant of £100 to each of the
three T.B. Care Committees working within the Borough, to aid them
in the much appreciated work which they carry out in connection
with the after-care of the tuberculous.
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