[Report 1919] / Medical Officer of Health, Chelmsford Borough.

  • Chelmsford (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1919
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1919] / Medical Officer of Health, Chelmsford Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/38 (page 10)
    of Malaria and Dysentery in this Borough appear to have been contracted abroad. If, however, localized outbreaks of indigenous cases had occurred, the knowledge gained from notification of these diseases would undoubtedly have provod useful. Methods of Control. The usual methods of combating Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria have been employed viz.—isolation of cases affected with the disease, quarantine of “ contacts,” disinfection of premises and the provision of disinfectants free of charge. In the case of Diphtheria, swabbing of throats when necessary, and the provision of anti-toxin free of charge have also been undertaken. It is interesting to note that all the cases of Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever have been removed to hospital, thereby preventing much further infection and case incidence of those diseases. I am unable to give much information as to the prevalance of the non- notifiable infectious diseases, except with regard co the latter end of the year, at which time I took up office as Medical Officer of Health. I am able to state however, that towards the end of the year Chicken Pox was very prevalent in the schools. Fortunately none of these infections producod fatal results. Tuberculosis and Venereal Diseases. The treatment of these diseases is under the control of the County Authority. One afternoon session and one evening session respectively are held at the County Dispensary by the County Tuberculosis Officer. A clinic for the treatment of cases of Venoreal Diseases has been established at the Chelmsford Hospital, London Road. It is held between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 ‘A noon on Fridays. Beds are also available at the Hospital for in- patients suffering from these diseases. Small-pox. Fortunately no case of Small-pox occurred in the Borough during the last year. Hospital accommodation is, however, available, and is always kept in readiness at the Galleywood Small-pox Hospital. This is a joint Hospital which serves for the Borough of Chelmsford and also for the Chelmsford Rural District. Maternity and Child Welfare. Maternity and Child Welfare work is a comparatively new development of Public Health. The following Memorandum of the Local Government Board, datod July, 1914, gives a concise account of what should be aimed at: —