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
Kensington 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
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The results obtained so far are encouraging; but the refusal of the Ministry of Health to sanction
the making of grants from Borough funds in aid of such schemes has rendered it imperative
for the Tuberculosis Care Committee to make efforts to raise funds from voluntary sources to meet
the cost of materials, tools, heating, lighting and the salary of the teacher.
At the end of a full year's work I hope to report more fully upon the result of this experiment
in occupational therapy.
Provision of Shelters at the Homes of Patients.
The Council are prepared to loan shelters and they keep several in readiness at their Wood
Lane Depot but, at the present time, none is in use.
Provision of Bedding for Home Isolation.
In twelve of these the assistance was given for the first time during the past twelve months, the articles issued being as follow:—
| Bedsteads | 9 | Mattresses | 11 |
| Bolsters | 10 | Pillows | 10 |
| Pillow-slips | 18 | Sheets | 33 |
| Blankets | 25 | Quilts | 9 |
| Mattress Covers | 3 | ||
The total stock of bedding, etc., on loan on December 31st, 1927, was:—
| Bedsteads | 11 | Mattresses | 11 |
| Bolsters | 11 | Pillows | 13 |
| Pillow slips | 20 | Sheets | 35 |
| Blankets | 27 | Quilts | 11 |
| Bed-cushions | 3 | Mattress Covers | 3 |
Disinfection after Death or Removal to Hospital.
In all cases after death from tuberculosis the Council offer disinfection. This offer is also extended
when patients enter hospitals or sanatoria and when they change their residence.
Disinfection is also carried out upon request by the Tuberculosis Officer or private practitioners.
The following table shows the number of disinfections carried out during the year:—
| Cases where bedding, etc., were disinfected by steam | 162 |
| Number of rooms disinfected | 151 |
Bacteriological Examinations.
Specimens of Sputum submitted by Medical Practitioners for bacteriological
examination at the Lister Institute at the expense of the Council 218
Specimens examined by the Tuberculosis Officer:—
| In respect of Dispensary patients | 427 |
| Sent up by Medical Practitioners | 72 |
Sputum Flasks.
These are supplied to patients who are infectious, and advice is given in regard to the disposal'
of sputum.
ACUTE RHEUMATISM (RHEUMATIC FEVER) IN CHILDREN
In 1926 and 1927, the Borough Council gave considerable attention to the question of acute
rheumatism and, as a result of representations made by them to the Ministry of Health, an Order
was introduced making acute rheumatism in children compulsorily notifiable in Kensington from
October 1st, 1927, for an experimental period of three years.
The only other area in this country where compulsory notification has been applied to acute
rheumatism is in the neighbouring Borough of Paddington. The Council of that Borough have
introduced notification in order to provide information to Dr. Reginald Miller, a physician at
Paddington Green Children's Hospital, of cases in the Borough so that he can, with voluntary
workers, arrange to undertake supervision and treatment of sufferers from this disease. The Kensington
Borough Council, however, have introduced a municipal scheme which includes investigation
into and control of the environmental factors concerned in the causation of acute rheumatism
and the supervision of children affected by this disease. The scheme is very largely experimental
in nature, but it is hoped that the researches to be undertaken will prove fruitful and supply
information which will enable an effective attack to be made against this increasingly serious
disease.