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
Malden and Coombe 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Malden & Coombe]
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15
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN
THE AREA.
The following table shows the number of pathological examinations during the past year:—
| Disease. | Positive | Results. Negative. | Totals. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuberculosis | Sputa | 4 | 28 | 32 |
| Scarlet Fever | Swabs | 0 | 7 | 9 |
| Diphtheria | Swabs | 3 | 122 | 125 |
| Dysentery | Faeces | 8 | 95 | 103 |
| do. | Blood | 1 | 12 | 13 |
| do. | Urine | — | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 18 | 265 | 283 |
A number of samples of milk were submitted for
bacterial count for the presence of tuberculosis, details of
which will be found in the report of the Sanitary Inspector.
TREATMENT OP RHEUMATISM.
The Council has been concerned for some time about
the prevalence of the rheumatic diseases in the community
and the inadequacy of facilities for treatment within the
means of the average patient. A great deal of consideration
was given to alternative methods for improving the
position at the present time, and it was finally decided
that an agreement with an existing clinic which could provide
the necessary equipment for physio-therapy would be
the best immediate solution. Fortunately, a suitable clinic
of this type exists just outside the Borough boundary in the
shape of the Red Cross Curative Post, Norbiton. The
Committee of the Red Cross Post agreed to appoint a consultant
in rheumatic diseases and to accept cases from the
Borough as far as their capacity allowed at agreed rates
per treatment. This arrangement has proved most successful,
and during the year 86 patients received 2,830