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 1926
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1926
This page requires JavaScript
The following table gives particulars of the cases notified in Battersea during the year :—
| Identification. | Age & Sex. | Notified. | Result. |
|---|---|---|---|
| C. H. | 3 M. | 29 May | In receipt of out-patient treatment daily at Tite Street Hospital. Improving. |
| D. P. | 7 F. | 7 Sept. | Fatal, 7.12.26. |
| E. L. | 13 F. | 13 Oct. | Under own doctor, having massage. Improving. |
| R. D. | 4 M. | 21 Oct. | In receipt of out-patient treatment at Tite Street Hospital. |
| I. S. | 3 F. | 11 Dec. | In receipt of out patient treatment at St. Thomas's Hospital. |
| A. B. | 5 M. | 16 Dec. | In receipt of out-patient treatment at Tite Street Hospital. |
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
There were 35 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum notified in
Battersea during 1926 as compared with 32 cases in 1925,41 cases
in 1924 and 42 cases in 1923. The rate per 1,000 births was 11.8,
as compared with 10.0, 13.1, and 12.2 in 1925, 1924 and 1923
respectively.
The disease was most prevalent amongst the less prosperous
districts of the Borough, East Battersea and North West Battersea
contributing 85.7 per cent. of the total cases notified.
Number of cases notified—
By medical practitioners 34
By midwives 1
Number removed to hospital 4
During 1926 the number of visits paid by nurses supplied by
the Borough Council in cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum or other
inflammatory condition of the eyes of the newly-born, was 2,993.
In addition 220 visits of enquiry and supervision were made by
Health Visitors.
There were only two severe cases amongst the 35 notified
and no permanent damage to the eyes of infants suffering from
Ophthalmia Neonatorum or other inflammatory condition of the
eyes was recorded during the year.