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

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Ilford 1909

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]

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The cases notified were at ages as under :—

1-5.15-25.25-35.35-45.45-5555-65.Over 65.
16112131

Of these cases notified 12 have proved fatal, and have
occurred in the Wards as under:—
1 in the Park Ward.
2 „ Seven Kings Ward.
1 „ North Hainault Ward.
4 „ Loxford Ward.
2 „ Clementswood Ward.
2 „ South Hainault Ward.
Free disinfection was offered in all the above instances,
and carried out in all save two.
As a result of the offer of free examination of sputum
15 specimens were forwarded to Dr. Thresh. Of these 5
shewed the presence of Tubercle bacilli and 10 did not.
All the cases have been visited by Mr. King or myself.
As they were nearly all in the later stages of the disease
and had mostly been to Hospitals or Sanatoria, it was
found that suitable precautions were being taken for the
proper disposal of the sputum in most cases. After all, as
has so often been pointed out, the problem is largely an
economic one. That is to say, the majority of cases occur
between the ages of 25 and 35, and if the breadwinner is
the sufferer, he must either continue at work, under, it may
be, unsuitable conditions, and so stand no chance of curing
his disease, or cease work and himself and family go on
short rations. In the latter alternative he may do better
if he can get proper treatment away from home, and suitable
maintenance. In the prospective reform of the Poor Law