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
Battersea 1902
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1902
This page requires JavaScript
20
The deaths from diarrhoea were eighty-four in number, as
against 177 in 1901. The lessened number of deaths from
this disease was the chief factor in the decline in infantile
mortality in 1902, and is explained by the meteorological
conditions in July, August and September. These months
were unusually cold, and the rainfall exceptionally heavy for
the time of the year, and Battersea, in common with the whole
country, was in consequence comparatively free from
diarrhoea. The subject is considered more fully later in this
report, under the heading of " Diarrhoea."
The Council's Infants Milk Depot was opened on
June 5th. Its effect on the infantile mortality rate is
discussed in the section of this report dealing with the work
of the Depot.
Four hundred and forty-five deaths of Battersea residents occurred at ages of sixty-five and upwards. The age distribution of these deaths in the sub-districts is given below :—
| District. | 65 and under 75. | 75 and under 85. | 85 and upwards. | Total over 65. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Battersea | 104 | 53 | 8 | 165 |
| North-West Battersea | 66 | 50 | 7 | 123 |
| South-West Battersea | 77 | 67 | 13 | 157 |
| Borough of Battersea | 247 | 170 | 28 | 445 |
The deaths over sixty-five were 506, 564 and 434 in the
years 1899, 1900 and 1901 respectively. The 445 deaths over
sixty-five in 1902 were equivalent to 172 per 1,000 deaths at
all ages.