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 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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14
Handbills showing where free treatment can be obtained by seamen suffering from
venereal disease are distributed on vessels.
The Port Sanitary Authority do not provide a clinic, but there are clinics at
Sheerness, Rochester, Southend, Gravesend, Faversham, Dartford, Royal Albert and
Victoria Dock, Greenwich and London.
Bacteriological examination of rats is carried out at the new laboratories of the
Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich, under the direction of Professor Hewlett. These
laboratories are equipped with every modern appliance, and, if Plague is suspected,
rats can be examined at any time of the day.
Other bacteriological examinations are now also carried out at the above
laboratories.
Table C.
Cases of Infectious Sickness landed from Vessels.
| Disease. | Number of Cases during 1930. | Average Number of Cases for | Number of vessels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers. | Crew. | previous 5 years. | concerned. | |
| Small-pox | — | 1 | 3.0 | 1 |
| Scarlet Fever | 1 | — | 11.2 | 1 |
| Diphtheria | 1 | 4 | 13.8 | 5 |
| Enteric Fever | 5 | 14 | 22.4 | 19 |
| Measles | 5 | 4 | 14.6 | 8 |
| German Measles | — | — | 14.0 | - |
| Erysipelas | 1 | — | 1.4 | 1 |
| Continued Fever | — | — | 0.6 | — |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 42 | 42 | 58.0 | 70 |
| Tuberculosis (other kinds) | 3 | — | 3.6 | 3 |
| Pneumonia | 3 | 8 | 13.4 | 10 |
| Influenza | 2 | — | 4.0 | 2 |
| Cerebro-spinal Meningitis | — | — | 0.4 | — |
| Dysentery | 15 | 6 | 7.8 | 20 |
| Encephalitis Lethargica | — | — | 0.2 | — |
| Malaria | 15 | 7 | 16.0 | 20 |
| Chicken-pox | 1 | 5 | 18.8 | 6 |
| Remittent and Relapsing Fever | — | 0.2 | — | |
Note.—The following cases of infectious disease occurred on board Training Ships moored in the River Thames:—
Scarlet Fever 24, Diphtheria 3, Pneumonia 1, Chicken-pox 1.
The following cases of infectious disease occurred amongst persons resident in the dock areas:—
Scarlet Fever 1, Pneumonia 1.
Table D.
Cases of Infectious Sickness occurring on Vessels during the Voyage, but disposed of prior to arrival.
| Disease. | Number of Cases during 1930. | Average Number of Cases for | Number of vessels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers. | Crew. | previous 5 years. | concerned. | |
| Cholera | — | 1 | 7.8 | 1 |
| Plague | — | — | 1.4 | — |
| Yellow Fever | — | — | 0.4 | — |
| Small-pox | 1 | 9 | 15.2 | 8 |
| Scarlet Fever | 2 | 1 | 3.2 | 3 |
| Diphtheria | 1 | - | 2.8 | 1 |
| Enteric Fever | 1 | 5 | 30.1 | 6 |
| Measles | 38 | 3 | 42.8 | 18 |
| German Measles | 5 | 1 | 6.4 | 5 |
| Erysipelas ... | 1 | — | 2.0 | 1 |
| Continued Fever | — | 1 | 1.0 | 1 |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 16 | 16 | 34.2 | 28 |
| Tuberculosis (other kinds) | 1 | — | 1.4 | 1 |
| Pneumonia | 29 | 14 | 24.2 | 26 |
| Influenza | 16 | 63 | 62.0 | 12 |
| Cerebro-spinal Meningitis | — | — | 0.2 | - |
| Dysentery | 10 | 5 | 18.8 | 11 |
| Encephalitis Lethargica | — | — | 0.6 | - |
| Malaria | 44 | 146 | 80.6 | 51 |
| Chicken-pox | 19 | 5 | 34.4 | 19 |
| Eemittent and Relapsing Fever | ... | — | - | - |