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
Beddington and Wallington 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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The infantile mortality rate for 1946 was 30.72 per thousand live
births. This is an increase on the exceptionally low figure of 21.78
per thousand live births for 1945, but compares favourably with the
figure of 43 for England and Wales.
Of the total of 586 live births, 18 deaths of infants under one
year of age (13 males and 5 females, one of the latter being illegitimate)
were registered.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
FOR THE AREA.
LABORATORY FACILITIES.
The Corporation's arrangements for the examination of swabs, sputa, and other pathological material continue as heretofore.
| Specimens examined. | Totals. | Positive. | Negative. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria:— | |||
| Examination of nose and throat swabs | 75 | 2 | 73 |
| Scarlet Fever:— | |||
| Examination of nose and throat swabs | 19 | - | 19 |
| Cerebro-Spinal Fever:— | |||
| Examination of nose and throat swabs | 3 | - | 3 |
| Tuberculosis:— | |||
| Sputa | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Enteric Group:— | |||
| Faeces | 11 | 1 | 10 |
| Totals | 114 | 5 | 109 |
During 1946 the arrangements for examination of milk, water and
ice-cream were transferred from the Council's laboratory in the Town
Hall to the Public Analyst, Mr. H. Amphlett Williams, as it was found
more economical, with the increasing cost of materials and wages, to
make this alteration.
Pathological specimens are sent to the Pathological Laboratories
at the St. Helier County and Croydon General Hospitals.
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