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 1925
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1925
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48
Encephalitis Lethargica.
There were 12 cases of encephalitis lethargica (sleepy sickness)
notified in Battersea during 1925, as compared with 14 cases in
1924 and 3 cases in 1923. In 4 of these cases the diagnosis was not
confirmed. Two deaths were recorded from this disease as compared
with 5 in 1924.
The following table summarises particulars of the cases notified in Battersea during 1925:—
| Identification. | Age and Sex. | Date notified. | Dateof Death. | Progress. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F.P. | 16, M. | 21 Jan. | - | Recovered |
| H.M. | 38, M. | 7 Feb. | — | In mental hospital |
| W.B. | 9, M. | 9 „ | — | Recovered |
| R.T. | 20, F. | 24 Mar. | — | Progressing favour-ably |
| M.A.L. | 48, F. | 10 June | 8 June | — |
| J.V.G. | 36, M. | 21 July | — | Recurring case (nearly well) |
| M.G. | 19, F. | 14 Sept. | — | Still under treatment |
| W.F.S. | 20, F. | 14 Dec. | 10 Dec. | — |
There was also a fatal case (unnotified) in Battersea, the
patient having been removed to hospital notified suffering from
Scarlet Fever, and dying the following day, death being certified
as due to Encephalitis Lethargica.
In 1925 the numbers of notified cases of this disease in England
and Wales was 2,676, and in London 302.
Puerperal Fever.
There were 6 cases of puerperal fever notified in Battersea
during 1925, as compared with 15 cases in 1924, 7 cases in 1923
and 13 cases in 1922. There were 3 deaths from the disease. The
number of cases per 1,000 births was 1.88, as compared with 4.78
in 1924. The notified cases were distributed as follows:—East
Battersea, 2 ; North West Battersea, 2 ; South West Battersea, 2.
The case-mortality was 42.9 per cent., and the death-rate per
1,000 births was 0.94, and per 1,000 of the population .017 respectively.
One fatal case was not notified, the death being ascribed to
puerperal fever following miscarriage.
The following table summarises the particulars of incidence
of puerperal fever in Battersea from 1892-1925