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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The following table, compiled from local records, shows the number of new cases of Tuberculosis notified during the year, together with the deaths at various age periods:—
| Age Periods. | New Cases. | Deaths. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary. | Non-Pulmonary. | Pulmonary. | Non-Pul-monary. | |||||
| M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | M. | F. | |
| Under 1 year | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 and under 5 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| 5 and under 10 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 |
| 10 and under 15 | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - |
| 15 and under 20 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 20 and under 25 | 4 | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| 25 and under 35 | 3 | 7 | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | - | — |
| 35 and under 45 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | — |
| 45 and under 55 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | - | - | - |
| 55 and under 65 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 65 and upwards | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Totals | 17 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | — | 3 |
The new cases were distributed amongst the Wards as follows: —
| Beddington. | Wallington. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North. | Cent. | South. | North. | Cent. | South. | |
| Pulmonary | 8 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Non-Pulmonary | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Totals | 10 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Arrangements have been made by the Council for the examination
of sputa from cases, or suspected cases, and during the year 29 such
examinations were made.
Treatment for cases of Tuberculosis is under the control of the
Surrey County Council, who provide both sanatorium and dispensary
treatment.
The Tuberculosis After-Care Committee, which commenced activity
in 1935, continued its good work during 1942, assisting a number of
Tuberculosis patients and their dependents in various ways.
The increased incidence of Tuberculosis amongst the population
generally and in the Services has given the Minister of Health cause
for some concern. In order to ascertain the exact distribution of
Tuberculosis amongst the population, it is suggested that the system
of mass radiography be introduced. By this method, it will be
possible to have an X-ray photograph taken of the lungs of large
sections of the community and thus form a true estimate of the
incidence of the disease. The Surrey County Council are already
negotiating for the purchase of the special apparatus.
41