London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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East Ham 1909

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]

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TABLE IV.

In order of death-rates (Highest first).Population per house (Highest first).
West Ham.West Ham.
Walthamstow.Walthamstow.
Barking.EAST HAM.
EAST HAM.Barking.
Leyton.Leyton.
Ilford.Ilford.

Having regard to all the points mentioned above, I think
it must be granted that during the past ten years East Ham
does not compare unfavourably with other large districts in
the County, either as regards attack-rate or death-rate from
Diphtheria, for of the five surrounding districts mentioned,
three had higher death-rates and two higher attack-rates from
this disease.
Preventive Methods in force in the Borough.
On the receipt of a notification of a case of Diphtheria, the
patient is at once removed to hospital if this is desired or
necessary, and the room previously occupied and its contents
are disinfected. Library books, if present are also removed
for disinfection. Whether removed to Hospital or not, the
Sanitary Inspector at once calls and obtains all particulars of
the case and endeavours to trace the source of infection. He
also leaves a printed form giving full instructions as to
isolation, etc., and the precautions which should be adopted to
prevent the spread of infection. Information is obtained as to
the day and Sunday schools attended either by the patient or by
children in the house, the School Authorities are notified, and
all children living in the house are, for a time, excluded. The
source of the milk supply, the occupation of the inmates, home
work, sanitary condition of the premises, water supply, presence
of animals, etc., are all investigated, and a report made to me
on the same day. The name of the laundry used is also ascertained,
the proprietor is notified, and the sending of clothes
there is prohibited until the premises are free from infection.