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 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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27
SCABIES AND VERMINOUS CONDITIONS.
The following table shows the number of persons cleansed of scabies or verminous conditions at the Council's Cleansing Station during 1943:—
| Scabies. | Vermin. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases. | Treatments. | Cases and Treatments. | ||
| Verminous Heads. | Body Lice. | |||
| Children under 5 years | 542 | 2,356 | 260 | – |
| Children over 5 years | 1.363 | 4.359 | 167 | 3 |
| Adults | 1,856 | 5,986 | 1,745 | 35 |
| Totals | 3,761 | 12,701 | 2,172 | 38 |
From the following statement it will be seen that there was a decrease in the number of cases of scabies treated during 1943 and an increase in the number of other verminous conditions treated:—
| Year. | Cases of Scabies Treated. | Verminous Persons Cleansed. |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 1,263 | 1,450 |
| 1940 | 2,618 | 1,127 |
| 1941 | 2,924 | 1,739 |
| 1942 | 4,663 | 1,829 |
| 1943 | 3,761 | 2,210 |
Preventive treatment was given to 477 persons who had been in
close contact with persons suffering from scabies.
Information was received of 191 Hackney children of school
age who were treated for scabies at London County Council bathing
centres in adjoining boroughs and of 69 persons who were treated
at various hospitals and other treatment centres.
The Health Visitors called at the homes of all persons known
to be suffering from scabies and, as far as possible, inspected the
contacts.
It was necessary to serve the following notices under the Scabies
Order, 1941:—
Notice to occupier to permit inspection of premises 35
Notice to attend for medical examination 23
Notice requiring attendance for treatment 33