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

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Battersea 1909

Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1909

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Table: The seasonal mortality from the different important zymotic diseases is well shown by arranging the deaths quarterly, thus:—

The seasonal mortality from the different important zymotic diseases is well shown by arranging the deaths quarterly, thus:—

Quarter No.Small-pox.Measles.Whooping Cough.Scarlet Fever.Diphtheria.Fever.Diarrhœa.Erysipelas.Puerperal Fever.Cholera.Influenza.Total.
Typhus.Typhoid.Continued.
1—392739—2—413—22110
2—341716—1161——572
3—10924—2—27—1——55
4—3724—211623—646
Year—8660823—725347—33283

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Drains and sanitary fittings are tested as a routine in all infected
houses in cases of diphtheria, enteric and puerperal fevers,
and in the case of other diseases in such instances as may be
found necessary. It should, of course, be remembered in this
connection, that where defects are found it does not follow that
these are necessarily the cause of the disease. Indirectly, however,
they may be so.
The tests employed are the ordinary smoke test and chemical
test (Kingzett's).

Table: The following table gives the drainage defects, etc., in houses in which cases of infectious disease were notified during 1909:—

The following table gives the drainage defects, etc., in houses in which cases of infectious disease were notified during 1909:—

DISEASE.No. of houses invaded.Number showing defects as to—Percentage showing drainage defects.Percentage showing no drainage defects.
Drains.Traps, fittings and appliances.Total.
Diphtheria2351746632674
Erysipelas152115161090
Scarlet Fever5511253651189
Typhoid3485133862
Puerperal Fever14————100
Cer.-Sp. Fever4————100
Total990381191571684