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
Beddington and Wallington 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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TUBERCULOSIS.
The treatment of cases of Tuberculosis is under the control of the
Surrey County Council, who provide both sanatorium and dispensary
treatment.
The two dispensaries available for residents of the Borough are
situated at Mitcham and Carshalton, the sessions being held as
follows: —
Mitcham (London Road J.B. School): —
First, third and fifth Tuesday of month at 1.30 p.m.
Each Thursday at 1 p.m. and third Saturday at 1.30 p.m.
Carshalton (St. Helier County Hospital): —
Every Friday at 10 a.m.
Fourth Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.
IMMUNISATION ACAINST DIPHTHERIA.
A scheme for the immunisation of children against diphtheria
was begun in the Borough in 1937. But only a small number of
residents availed themselves of the service during the first years
during which the scheme was in operation. During the year 1941,
His Majesty's Government instituted an intensive national drive
in an effort to have all children below the age of: 15 years
immunised. The Borough took its full share in the Government
campaign by the distribution of leaflets, press publicity and films, with
the result that the numbers of children brought to clinics and
immunised in private and elementary schools was greatly increased.
Particular attention has been concentrated on the immunisation of
children attending at Infant Welfare Centres, on attaining the age
of 1 year. Immunisation is carried out at all sessions, and it is hoped
in due course to immunise 100 per cent. of this group of the population.
The following table gives the number of children who were treated during the year:—
| 0-5 years | 5-15 years | Total 0-15 years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approximate number of children in the Borough at 31st Dec., 1942 | 1400 | 3250 | 4650 |
| Children who completed full course of immunisation during the year | 416 | 245 | 661 |
| Children immunised before 1st Jan., 1942 | 404 | 1961 | 2365 |
| Percentage of child population immunised at 31st Dec., 1942 | 58.6 | 67.9 | 50.8 |
The Government's recommended scheme of giving two injections,
at a month's interval, of Alum Precipitated Toxoid (A.P.T.) was adopted
in 1941. This prophylactic material is provided free from the Government's
central laboratories, and has been used throughout the year in
our immunisation scheme. No cases of illness have resulted from the
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