Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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Diphtheria Swabs.—During the year, 495 swabbings from
throats and noses of persons suspected to be suffering from diphtheria
were bacteriologically examined, of which 13 gave positive results
and 482 negative results. At the request of the local branch of
the Invalid Children's Aid Association the Medical Officer of
Health took swabbings from the noses and throats of 6 children
who were about to be admitted to convalescent homes.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin.—In accordance with the Anti-toxin
Order of 1910, a supply of diphtheria anti-toxin is provided by
the Council and issued as required to medical practitioners applying
for it in cases of diphtheria or suspected cases of diphtheria amongst
the poorer inhabitants of the Borough. During the year 2 bottles
of anti-toxin of 8,000 units were supplied.
Diphtheria Immunisation. — The active immunisation of
persons a,gainst diphtheria has been available for Hackney residents
since January, 1928. Weekly sessions are held at three clinics and
the Council pays the fees of 19 local medical practitioners who
administer immunising injections under the Council's scheme.
These practitioners immunised 67 children during the year.
The following table gives particulars of the work carried out under the scheme since 1928:—
Year, | No. of New Cases. | Schick Tested. | Commenced treatment without Schick Test. | Naturally Immune. | Immunised. | Discontinued treatment and struck off Register. | [No. under treatment at end of year. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-School Age. | School Age. | Adults. | Pre-School Age. | School Age. | Adults | ||||||
1928 to 1940 | 11954 | 2169 | 5716 | 222 | 3847 | 1637 | 4378 | 3625 | 48 | 1903 | 355 |
1941 | 1972 | 41 | 880 | 73 | 978 | 316 | 1015 | 669 | 35 | 141 | 151 |
1942 | 4581 | 59 | 1739 | 65 | 2718 | 597 | 2076 | 1586 | 10 | 97 | 366 |
1943 | 3484 | 52 | 1046 | 7 | 2379 | 268 | 1950 | 1154 | 5 | 164 | 309 |
1944 | 1370 | 134 | 167 | 10 | 1059 | 28 | 924 | 254 | 11 | 50 | 412 |
1945 | 2096 | 10 | 85 | 25 | 1976 | 39 | 1839 | 90 | 12 | 408 | 120 |
1946 | 2534 | 15 | 192 | 22 | 2305 | 58 | 2059 | 282 | 6 | 71 | 178 |
1947 | 2644 | 6 | 59 | 1 | 2578 | 10 | 2401 | 132 | 1 | 94 | 184 |
It is estimated that by the end of the year 47.3 per cent. of the
children under school age and 56.1 per cent. of the children of school
age had been immunised against diphtheria.
The Health Visitors have continued their efforts to secure the
immunisation of children at or about the age of 8 months and also