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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The following table shows the number of persons vaccinated or re-vaccinated against smallpox, in the various age groups, during the year:—
| Age at Time of Vaccination | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 months | 3-6 months | 6-9 months | 9 months -1 year | 1 year | 2-4 years | 5-15 years | ||
| Number vaccinated | 5 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 1,292 | 282 | 65 | 1,692 |
| Number re-vaccinated | — | - | - | — | 5 | 20 | 194 | 219 |
The table below is compiled from figures supplied by the clinics listed and shows the number of patients resident in Merton who were treated for the first time in 1968:—
| Clinic | Number of new cases seen during year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total all conditions | Syphilis | Gonorrhea | Other | ||
| Primary & Secondary | Other | ||||
| Croydon General Hospital | 33 | 1 | — | 5 | 27 |
| Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital | 1 | - | - | - | 1 |
| London Hospital | 18 | - | — | 1 | 17 |
| St. Helier Hospital | 220 | 2 | 3 | 38 | 177 |
| St. Thomas's Hospital | 131 | 1 | _- | 27 | 103 |
| Westminster Hospital | 17 | — | — | 1 | 16 |
| Totals | 420 | 4 | 3 | 72 | 341 |
GENERAL MEDICAL SERVICES
During the year the medical staff carried out 1,123 medical
examinations of staff for superannution purposes. Twenty-three examinations
were also carried out on staff, absent from work owing to
sickness, to ascertain their fitness to return to duty.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACTS
The Medical Officer of Health and his Deputy, are authorised by
the Council to act under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, or, in conjunction with a general practitioner under Section 1
of the National Assistance (Amendment) Act, 1951, in connection with
the removal to hospital or other suitable accommodation of persons
suffering from grave chronic disease, or persons who are aged and
infirm and living in insanitary conditions, and who are not receiving
proper care and attention.
During the year two applications were made and Orders obtained
for removal under Section 1 of the 1951, Amendment, Act. In one
case the person concerned was removed to a private nursing home
when the Order expired and in the second case a further Order was
obtained extending the period of detention by three months.
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