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 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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40
REPORT ON THE BOROUGH LABORATORY.
The work of the Laboratory continues to show a steady
increase. During the year 1914 there were 1,584 specimens
examined, as compared with 1,226 for the year 1913. From
Table I. it will be seen the more strenuous swabbing of suspected
Diphtheria throats accounts for much of the increase.
Clinical Bacteriology.
The following is a summary of the number of specimens
examined during the year ending December 31st, 1914:—
Table I.
| Specimens. | Positive. | Negative. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspected Diphtheria | 1236 | 425 | 811 |
| Suspected Ringworm | 157 | 122 | 35 |
| Sputum for suspected Tuberculosis | 186 | 43 | 143 |
| Suspected Typhoid (Widal) | 19 | 5 | 14 |
Examinations were also made of specimens of water from the
swimming bath, of urine, and of pus for gonococci.
Amongst the Ringworm cases was one of Tricophyton.
In Table 2 is shown the monthly number of " swabs " sent
by doctors, by the Borough Hospital, and obtained from the
schools, etc. Under the heading " Schools, etc.," are included
84 swabs taken from "contacts," 85 from suspicious cases met
with during routine medical inspection in the schools, and 189 from
similar cases that attended the School Clinic.