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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46
The number of examinations in previous years were: 1903,
189; 1904, 351; 1905, 264; 1906, 348; 1907, 508; 1908,*
2,486.
The following table gives particulars as to the examinations made during 1909:—
| Suspected disease. | Positive Results. | Negative Results. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 147 | 481 | 628 |
| Enteric fever | 12 | 32 | 44 |
| Tuberculosis | 34 | 117 | 151 |
| Cerebro-spinal fever | — | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 193 | 632 | 825 |
* N.B.—The large number of diphtheria specimens examined during 1908 was
occasioned by the outbreaks of Diphtheria at the Infirmary and Royal
Masonic Institute for Girls.
There is no doubt that the procedure has proved most useful
in the diagnosis of doubtful cases of these dangerous infectious
diseases. The facilities provided by the Council have been largely
availed of by the medical practitioners of the district during 1909,
the total number of specimens examined showing a progressive
increase in each year, excluding the exceptional year of 1908. The
Council might with advantage provide a Bacteriological Laboratory
for the sole use of the Borough.