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 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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42
REPORT ON THE BOROUGH LABORATORY.
There has been a considerable increase in the work of the
Laboratory during the year 1913. This has been largely owing to
the epidemic of Diphtheria that has visited the Borough in common
with other areas in and around the London district.
Clinical Bacteriology.
The following is a summary of the number of specimens
examined during the year ending December 31st, 1913:—
Table I.
| Specimens. | Positive. | Negative. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspected Diphtheria | 980 | 348 | 632 |
| Suspected Ringworm | 97 | 74 | 23 |
| Sputum for suspected Tuberculosis | 252 | 58 | 194 |
| Suspected Typhoid (Widal) | 17 | 6 | 11 |
Examinations were also made of specimens of water from the
swimming bath; of urine; and of blood for Anthrax (one specimen
which proved to be positive).
Amongst the Ringworm cases there was one of Favus, and
one of Tricophyton; the remainder consisted of the small " spore "
form.
There is shown in Table II. the monthly numbers of " Swabs "
sent by Doctors, by the School Clinic, and by the Borough
Hospital. Under the heading " Clinic " are included 80 swabs
taken from the throats of " contact " cases, and 30 from suspicious
cases met with during routine medical inspection in the schools,
the remaining swabs having been taken from "Clinic" cases
proper.