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 1923
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1923
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56
During the year 1923 the number of cases of women and children
not in attendance at the Dispensary notified to the Medical Officer
of Health was 132. Of this number, after deducting cancelled
cases, removals, &c., 122 were investigated, and the results are
summarised as follows:-
Women—54.
Married 19
Single 26
Widows 9
Children— 68
Boys 36
Girls 32
Total cases 122
Cases found to be dead on first visit, 23. Age and Sex Distribution.
| 0-1 | 1-5 | 5-10 | 10-15 | 15-20 | 120-25 | 25-35 | 35-45 | 45-55 | 55-65 | 65 upwards | Allages | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary | M. | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 |
| F. | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 53 | |
| Tubercular Meningitis | M. | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
| F. | 1 | 7 | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 10 | |
| Other Tubercular Disease | M. | — | 5 | 11 | 7 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 24 |
| F. | - | 5 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | 1 | - | 30 | |
| Total | M. | - | 7 | 13 | 8 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 29 |
| F. | 2 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 93 | |
| Grand Total | 2 | 21 | 24 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 122 | |
Home Conditions.
The home conditions found on investigation showed a marked
improvement compared with a similar inquiry relating to the same
class of patients in 1922, in regard to the precautionary measures
being observed by the patients. In 20 cases the patient was
found to be occupying a separate room, and in 43 cases a separate
bed; 56 of the patients received institutional treatment, giving a
total percentage of 97-54 in which some measure of isolation and
prevention was being carried out, as compared with 92-8 per
cent, in 1922.
Sanitary State of Homes.—The sanitary state of the homes
was found in 74 cases good, in 40 fair, and in 8 bad.
Condition of Patient at First Visit.—In 14 cases good, in
71 fair, in 14 bad; 23 cases were found to have died.
There were 481 persons living in the homes of these
122 cases, the number of rooms occupied being 384, with
an average of 1.25 person per room.