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 1924
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1924
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58
1924. The total number of deaths under 2 years of age caused by
diarrhoea in Battersea during the year was 23, giving a fatality-rate
of .13 as compared with 26 deaths and a fatality-rate of .15 in 1923.
The great advance that has taken place in the development of
health services by Sanitary Authorities, assisted as such measures
have been by increased legislative powers and by grants in aid
from the National Exchequer, has materially contributed to the
remarkable decrease in this and other scourges of child life, and to
an improved standard of health and physical soundness of children
since the War. The educational efforts of trained and experienced
Health Visitors, provision of milk and other assistance, e.g.,
hospital, dental and nursing, are also factors which undoubtedly
have played a most important part in this desirable result.
Deaths of Infants under 2 years of age from Diarrhœa and Enteritis in Battersea.
| Year. | Under 1 year. | 1-2 years. | Total under 2 years. | Rate per 1,000 births. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1911 | 186 | 39 | 225 | 51.4 |
| 1912 | 38 | 10 | 48 | 11.3 |
| 1913 | 91 | 27 | 118 | 27.8 |
| 1914 | 98 | 21 | 119 | 27.7 |
| 1915 | 60 | 19 | 79 | 20.7 |
| 1916 | 51 | 5 | 56 | 14.8 |
| 1917 | 38 | 7 | 45 | 15.2 |
| 1918 | 36 | 4 | 40 | 14.8 |
| 1919 | 28 | 3 | 31 | 10.1 |
| 1920 | 48 | 6 | 54 | 11.6 |
| 1921 | 51 | 11 | 62 | 16.6 |
| 1922 | 15 | 3 | 18 | 4.9 |
| 1923 | 18 | 8 | 26 | 7.6 |
| 1924 | 19 | 4 | 23 | 7.3 |
Influenza.
Influenza was very prevalent during 1924, especially in the
first quarter of the year. There were 84 deaths caused by the
disease as compared with 31 in 1923 and 110 in 1922. The mortality
rate was .49 as against .18 in 1923, and .66 in 1922. The deaths
from influenza, which numbered 23 in January and 28 in February,
declined to 15 in March.
There were 167 cases of influenzal pneumonia notified during
the year as against 70 in 1923 and 196 in 1922. The death-rate was
.29 as compared with .10 in 1923 and .41 in 1922.