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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The infantile mortality rate for 1948 was 16.74 per 1,000 live births.
This fact reflects great credit upon the services operated in the Borough
for the care of mothers and young children. The rate quoted is the lowest
for the past 20 years, and compares very favourably with the figure of
34 for England and Wales.
Of the total of 478 live births, only 8 deaths of infants under one year
of age (6 males and 2 females, one of the females 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 | 23 | - | 23 |
| Scarlet Fever :— | |||
| Examination of nose and throat swabs | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Dysentery :— | |||
| Faces | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Paratyphoid Fever ' B ' :— | |||
| Faeces | 6 | — | 6 |
| Typhoid Fever :— | |||
| Fasces | 3 | — | 3 |
| Tuberculosis :— | |||
| Sputa | 11 | 1 | 10 |
| Totals | 50 | 4 | 46 |
During 1948 H. Amphlett Williams, Esq., Ph.D. (Lond.),
A.C.G.F.C., F.R.I.C., Public Analyst, 1 Southwark Street, S.E.I, continued
the arrangement made in 1946 for the examination of milk, water
and ice-cream.
In general, pathological specimens are sent to the Pathological
Laboratories at St. Helier Hospital. Towards the end of the year, arising
out of provisions made under the National Health Service Act, 1946,
certain pathological specimens, including some samples of milk and
water, were examined free of charge at the Ministry of Health Laboratories
at Epsom.
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