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 1910
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1910
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49
Taking the average annual number of deaths from cancer for
the ten years 1900-1909, viz., 153.5, as compared with 141 deaths
during 1910, there would appear to be a tendency towards a decrease
in the mortality from this disease. The figures are, however,
too small to provide any reliable data.
Alcoholism.
During 1910, in the Borough of Battersea, 5 deaths were
registered from acute and chronic alcoholism (males 3, females 2).
In addition to these, 17 deaths were registered from cirrhosis of
the liver (males 7, females 10) a disease mainly due to alcohol.
The total number of deaths therefore to be ascribed to alcohol
is 22, as compared with 25 in each of the two preceding years.
Bacteriological Examinations.
During the year 1910, 626 bacteriological examinations of specimens sent in by medical practitioners, practising in the Borough of Battersea, have been made at the Clinical Research Association Laboratories at a cost of £111 9s. 9d., particulars of which are set out in the following table:—
| Suspected disease. | Positive Results. | Negative Results. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 129 | 281 | 410 |
| Enteric fever | 8 | 22 | 30 |
| Tuberculosis | 46 | 137 | 183 |
| Cerebro-spinal fever | — | 1 | 1 |
| Other specimens | — | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 183 | 443 | 626 |