[Report 1947] / Medical Officer of Health, Glasgow.

  • Glasgow (Scotland)
Date:
1947
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1947] / Medical Officer of Health, Glasgow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    interesting to note that since the diphtheria immunisation campaign started in earnest in 1941 at least 103,000 school children and 23,000 pre-school children have been immunised in Glasgow. A new activity of the Department was the establishment, on behalf of the Department of Health for Scotland, of a centre for the im- munisation against yellow fever of intending travellers. During the twelve months in which this clinic has been in operation, 2,132 persons were immunised. Mass miniature radiography of the public was extended by the acquisition of a second set with a mobile dark room, and the unit almost reached its hundred thousandth examination by the end of the year. The nursing problem in all the hospitals still exists, particularly in the tuberculosis hospitals, but the employment of part-time nurses has restored to active service nearly 400 beds in the Corporation hospitals, of which increase 120 were for cases of tuberculosis. Knights- wood Hospital was chosen during the year as a centre for streptomycin treatment of tuberculous meningitis and acute miliary tuberculosis. It is too early yet to give a full account of the results, but the initial reports have been favourable. It is important, however, that the public should realise that there are certain types and stages of tuber- culous disease which will not benefit from streptomycin and that other forms of treatment are to be preferred in these cases. Towards the end of the year there was a serious outbreak of cholera in Egypt, and, in consequence, special precautions were taken at the Port of Glasgow to prevent the possible importation of the disease to this country. Medical staff, boarding officers, inspectors, rat catchers and certain nurses were inoculated with anti-cholera vaccine to enable them to handle with safety possible cases of cholera. Special enquiry had to be made regarding the source of food supplies and water on ships arriving from Egypt, but fortunately no suspected cases were found among passengers or crews. The work of the Port Health Authority is vital to the city’s well-being, as it is an insurance against attack by infection from overseas, and its efficiency has been proved on many occasions. It is a testimony to its watchfulness that no epidemic has originated from abroad. There was a notable increase in the number of new dwellings completed by the Corporation of Glasgow during the year, and a detailed review of the situation is contained in Section VI of this