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 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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Full statistics for the year 1937 had not been prepared at the time this report went to print, the last figures available being for the year 1936, as under:—
| Children whose births were registered during the year ended 31st December, 1936— | |
|---|---|
| Number of births registered | 2,856 |
| Successfully vaccinated | 1,585 |
| Insusceptible of vaccination | 5 |
| Had small-pox | — |
| Statutory declarations of conscientious objection | 701 |
| Died unvaccinated | 143 |
| Postponement by medical certificate | 50 |
| Removed to other districts | 281 |
| Removals untraced, &c. | 61 |
| Not yet accounted for | 30 |
| 2,856 | |
Scarlet Fever.
The incidence of scarlet fever was much lower in 1937, 215
cases being notified as compared with 437 in the previous year.
One death was registered from the disease.
In 63 other notified cases (not included in the above total),
the diagnosis of scarlet fever was not confirmed at hospital.
Of the cases notified 207, or 96·3 per cent., were removed to
hospital.
Particulars of the incidence of scarlet fever during 1937 and the four preceding years are shown in the following table:—
| Year. | Cases. | Houses Invaded. | Deaths. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notified. | Per 1,000 Population | Registered | Per 1,000 Population | Per 100 Cases. | ||
| 1933 | 826 | 5·36 | 726 | 6 | 0·04 | 0·73 |
| 1934 | 616 | 4·08 | 540 | - | - | - |
| 1935 | 417 | 2·81 | 361 | - | - | - |
| 1936 | 437 | 3·00 | 391 | 1 | 0·01 | 0·23 |
| 1937 | 215 | 1·50 | 200 | 1 | 0·01 | 0·47 |
| Average | 502 | 3·38 | 444 | 1·6 | 0·02 | 0·32 |
The incidence of the disease was highest in Latchmere, Nine
Elms and Bolingbroke Wards.
Diphtheria.
In 1937 there were 251 cases of diphtheria notified (excluding
64 other cases in which the diagnosis was not confirmed after
removal of the patient to hospital). There were 9 deaths registered
as due to the disease. Of the 251 cases, 250 were removed to
hospital.