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
City of London 1917
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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Table of Miscellaneous Non-notifiable Cases of Illness reported.
| Disease. | No. of Cases. | Disease. | No. of Cases. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angina Pectoris | 1 | Brought forward | 19 |
| Appendicitis | 2 | Injury | 1 |
| Apoplexy | 2 | Lobar Pneumonia | 1 |
| Broncho-Pneumonia | 1 | Mumps | 1 |
| Bronchitis | 1 | Muscular Wasting | 1 |
| Colic | 1 | Malaria | 12 |
| Dropsy | 1 | Pneumonia | 2 |
| Dysentery | 1 | Pleurisy | 1 |
| Dyspnoea | 1 | Peritonitis | 2 |
| Epilepsy | 2 | Suicide | 1 |
| Heart Disease | 2 | Suppurative Nephritis | 1 |
| Heatstroke | 1 | Septic Hand | 1 |
| Hepatitis | 1 | Scabies | 1 |
| Infantile Convulsions | 1 | Senile Decay | 1 |
| Influenza | 1 | Tonsillitis | 1 |
| Carried forward | 19 | Total | 46 |
VENEREAL DISEASES.
In February, 1917, your Medical Officer reported that provision for treatment
of these diseases available to seamen on ships lying in the Port on the North side existed
at the London Hospital, and on the South side at Guy's and the Seamen's Hospitals.
A treatment centre was also in course of arrangement by Kent County Council at
Gravesend, which could be of service to the Tilbury aggregate of shipping.
The Docks most distant from any treatment centre were the Royal Albert and
Victoria Docks, these constituting a shipping aggregate which, though as fully
provided for as the County Boroughs of East and West Ham, was, in the opinion of
your Medical Officer, under a disability in the matter of treatment.
The Circular addressed to Port Sanitary Authorities by the Local Government
Board suggested that facilities for treatment should be available to seamen of whatever
nationality.
Under the circumstances the provision of a centre at or near the Royal Albert and
Victoria Docks seemed to be indicated.
The preliminary correspondence with the Controlling Authorities raised the
question of payment, which, in the case of the Port Sanitary Authority, is not provided
for in the Regulations. It was intimated on inquiry, however, that the Local
Government Board would not object to any financial agreement come to with the
Controlling Authorities with a view to the establishment of such a centre.
The contribution of half the cost of the centre at the Branch Hospital of the
Seamen's Hospital Society (the London School of Tropical Medicine), Royal Albert
Dock, was recommended by your Medical Officer, the Council of the County Borough
of West Ham being the Controlling Authority and supplying the other money.