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 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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The following table shews the localisation of the disease in the case of the 268 deaths recorded in 1932.
| Localisation. | No. of deaths. | Total. | Percentage of Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | |||
| Buccal cavity | 9 | 1 | 10 | 3.73 |
| Stomach, liver, peritoneum, intestines and rectum | 89 | 54 | 143 | 53.36 |
| Respiratory system | 21 | 5 | 26 | 9.70 |
| Female genital organs | — | 29 | 29 | 10.82 |
| Breast | 1 | 27 | 28 | 10.45 |
| Skin | 1 | — | 1 | 0.37 |
| Genito-urinary organs (male) | 15 | — | 15 | 5.60 |
| Other and unspecified organs | 9 | 7 | 16 | 5.97 |
| Total | 145 | 123 | 268 | 100.00 |
Bacteriological Examinations.
The bacteriological examination of clinical material (with the
exception of specimens of sputum, which are dealt with at the
Tuberculosis Dispensary, vide pp. 58, 125) is carried out by the
Clinical Research Association, of Watergate House, Strand.
During 1932 the number of bacteriological examinations of
specimens sent in by medical practitioners practising in Battersea
was 1,848 (exclusive of the Tuberculosis specimens).
The following table gives particulars of the bacteriological examinations carried out during the year:—
| Suspected disease. | Positive Results. | Negative Results. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 194 | 1,648 | 1,842 |
| Enteric fever | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Meningococcal Meningitis | — | — | — |
| Total | 195 | 1,653 | 1,848 |
The cost of these examinations is borne by the Council, and in
1932 amounted to £236 16s. 8d., as compared with £252 11s. 0d.
in 1931.