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
Wandsworth 1903
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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59
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Bacteriological Examinations.
During the year 125 bacteriological examinations were made,
compared with 78 in 1902, 66 in 1901, 44 in 1900, and 29 in 1899.
| Clapham. | Putney. | Streatham. | Tooting. | Wandswth. | Whole Borough. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria, | ||||||
| Negative: | 6 | 11 | 29 | 2 | 33 | 81 |
| Positive: | 1 | 1 | 7 | - | 10 | 19 |
| Enteric fever | ||||||
| Negative: | 1 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 22 |
| Positive: | — | 1 | - | - | 2 | 3 |
| Totals | 8 | 15 | 45 | 3 | 54 | 125 |
These numbers show that bacteriological examination has
been much more used by medical men than in any previous year.
Puerperal Fever.
13 cases of the above disease were notified, compared with
21 in 1902.
Three of the cases occurred in Clapham, one in Putney, two
in Streatham, one in Tooting, and six in Wandsworth.
Six of the cases, or 46.1 per cent. were fatal, two in Clapham,
two in Putney, one in Streatham, and one in Wandsworth. One
of the deaths in Putney occurred in an outlying institution and
was not notified from that institution.
Five out of the 13 cases notified were removed to the Union
fnfirmary where three died, and one died in a General Hospital.
The death-rate was .024, compared with .033 in 1902.
In all the notified cases the house was thoroughly disinfected,
and the nurse in attendance was warned not to attend any other
cases of childbirth for a specified period, varying in each case.