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

Hackney 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]

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Table: By tabulating the various foods, times of eating, methods of preparation, onset of symptoms and other relevant information (see table following), it became reasonably apparent that the illness of the patients could be attributed to the chicken soup taken on the Saturday, the soup being the only food taken in common by those affected, and this was further emphasized in that the soup was the only one of these foods taken by one of these persons, an elderly woman, who was very badly affected.

By tabulating the various foods, times of eating, methods of preparation, onset of symptoms and other relevant information (see table following), it became reasonably apparent that the illness of the patients could be attributed to the chicken soup taken on the Saturday, the soup being the only food taken in common by those affected, and this was further emphasized in that the soup was the only one of these foods taken by one of these persons, an elderly woman, who was very badly affected.

Name.Onset.Symptoms.Chicken.Soup.Boiled Halibut.Fried Plaice and Haddock.Prunes.Plums.Cake.Liver (Chopped). 1Remarks.
Fri.Sat.Fri.Sat.F.F.S.F.S.F.S.S.s.
Julyp.m.p.m.p.m.p.m.Other foods— Bread, Salad, Boiled rice, Boiled eggs, Boiled meat.
Mrs. J. K. 70 yrs.16 5.30 p.m.Diarrhœa. Abdominal pain....921................
Miss E. K. 41 yrs.16 5.30p.m.„ „ „....9211............1
Miss F. K. 37 yrs.16 5.30 p.m.Said to have had diarrhoea and vomiting for past week..2..2..1..............
Mrs. R. K. 35 yrs.16 12 noonDiarrhoea..2921..111......1
Mr. A. K. 35 yrs.17 8 p.m.„98.3098.301..............1
Miss D. K. 30 yrs.17 7 a.m.Slight diarrhoea..29211..11....11
Miss L. K. 8 yrs.17 10 p.m.Felt sick and pain..292..1..............
Mrs. B. B. 44 yrs.16 8 p.m.„ „..292111....1..1..
Miss P. B. 16 yrs.16 8 p.m.Diarrhoea and vomiting..292111....1......
Mr. A. B. 44 yrs.17 5 p.m.Abdominal pain. No vomiting..2.30..2.30..11......11..
Mr. C. B. 14 yrs.17 5 p.m.Vomiting. No diarrhoea..2.30..2.30....1......11..