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
East Ham 1909
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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47
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
The use made of this increases yearly. Free bacteriological
diagnosis is afforded to all Medical Practitioners in the
Borough, the bulk of the work done being in connection with
Diphtheria, Tuberculosis, and Typhoid Fever.
The Laboratory was opened in 1906, and the number of
specimens examined each year since that date is shown in the
following Table:—
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
DISEASES SUSPECTED.
| Year. | Tuberculosis. | Diphtheria. | Typhoid Fever. | Ringworm, Meningitis, etc. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 13 | 345 | 4 | 2 | 364 |
| 1907 | 51 | 418 | — | 14 | 483 |
| 1908 | 26 | 752 | — | 6 | 784 |
| 1909 | 31 | 936 | — | 2 | 969 |
| Total | 121 | 2451 | 4 | 24 | 2600 |
The results of examination, if positive, are sent to the
Medical Practitioners either by telephone or messenger.
Negative results are usually forwarded by post. For the
proper transmission of the material necessary for examination,
suitable apparatus is supplied to all medical men. This
apparatus is prepared and sterilised at the Laboratory.
BAKEHOUSES.
There are 49 Bakehouses in the Borough, including four
factory and ten underground bakehouses. Frequent visits are
paid by the Inspectors, and usually they are also visited
annually by myself. The regulations as to limewashing,
painting, etc., are well carried out, and the general condition of
them is, on the whole, satisfactory. Want of cleanliness is the
defect most frequently discovered.
CHILDREN ACT (1908).
This Act came into force on 1st April, 1909.