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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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The following table shows the localisation of the disease in the case of the 232 deaths recorded in 1948.
| Localisation | No. of Deaths | Percentage of Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | ||
| Buccal cavity, Œsophagus (M), Uterus (F) | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6.0 |
| Stomach and Duodenum | 22 | 17 | 39 | 16.8 |
| Breast | 1 | 23 | 24 | 10.3 |
| All other sites | 96 | 59 | 155 | 66.9 |
| Total | 126 | 106 | 232 | 100.0 |
DIABETES.
For some years past, with the sanction of the Ministry of Health,
the Council has borne the cost of insulin required by certain necessitous
patients who were receiving treatment for diabetes. Insulin was
supplied to 18 such cases.
Eleven deaths were attributed to this disease.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
The bacteriological examination of clinical material (with the
exception of specimens of sputum, which are dealt with at the
Tuberculosis Dispensary) is carried out by the Clinical Research
Association, of Watergate House, Strand.
During 1948 the number of bacteriological examinations of
specimens sent in by medical practitioners practising in Battersea
was 383 (exclusive of the specimens dealt with at the Tuberculosis
Dispensary).
The following table gives particulars of the bacteriological examinations carried out during the year:—
| Suspected disease | Positive Results | Negative Results | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 11 | 347 | 358 |
| Other | — | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 11 | 372 | 383 |
The cost of these examinations is borne by the Council, and in
1948 amounted to £74 19s. 4d.