London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Deptford 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford, Metropolitan Borough of]
This page requires JavaScript
71
Only a few cases of Measles were reported towards the end of the
year. Arrangements had been previously made to ensure the obtaining
of early information of cases of suspected cases in schools in order that
the Health Visitors might offer nursing assistance where necessary.
For the prophylaxis of Measles, serum is available for use by medical
practitioners. In no instance was application made for serum.
Whooping-Cough.
Amongst infectious diseases, Whooping-cough is accountable for the greatest number of deaths in very young children. The fatality in past years is as follows:—
| No. of Deaths. | Percentage of total Deaths. | Death-rate per 1,000 population. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average 1915-1924 | 24 | 1.5 | 0.22 |
| 1925-1929 | 13 | 0.9 | 0.11 |
| 1930 | 3 | 0.2 | 0.03 |
| 1931 | 11 | 0.9 | 0.10 |
It cannot be too strongly urged that good nursing and the keeping
of the child in a warm, well-ventilated room for a sufficient period still
remain our most effective means of warding off the risk of pneumonia
which so frequently leads up to death.
Bacteriological Facilities.
The Council's general bacteriological work is conducted at the
Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich, while sputum for tubercle bacilli is
ordinarily examined at the Tuberculosis Dispensary.
The following is a summary of the work done*:-
Laboratory Work at Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich, 1931.
| Material. | Number Positive. | Number Negative. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swabs for Diphtheria | 114 | 958 | 1072 |
| Sputum for Tuberculosis | 30 | 79 | 109 |
| Blood for Enteric Fever | — | 7 | 7 |
| Urine for T.B. | — | 2 | 2 |
| Culture for Anthrax | — | 1 | 1 |
| Blood for Blood Count | 1 | — | 1 |
| Swabs for Hæmolytic Streptococci | — | 13 | 13 |
| Water from cistern in dwelling house | 2 | — | 2 |
| Specimen of silt taken from drain | — | 1 | 1 |
*Note.—Other examinations are reported under "Food."