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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68
Bacteriological Examinations.
During 1925, the number of bacteriological examinations of
specimens sent in by medical practitioners practising in Battersea
was 1,725. These specimens are examined at the laboratories of
the Clinical Research Association, Watergate House, Adelphi,
Strand, W.C., and include diphtheria, enteric and other diseases.
The cost of these examinations is defrayed by the Council. The
examination of Tuberculosis specimens is now carried out at the
Tuberculosis Dispensary, that institution having been taken over
by the Council from the Central Fund in 1921.

Table: The following table gives particulars of the bacteriological examinations carried out during 1925 :—

The following table gives particulars of the bacteriological examinations carried out during 1925 :—

Suspected disease.Positive Results.Negative Results.Total.
Diphtheria1961,5091,705
Enteric fever61420
Total2021.5231,725

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The cost of these examinations amounted to £221 3s. 11d.
Diarrhoea.
During 1925 the total number of deaths from diarrhoea of
children under 2 years of age was 16. This is the lowest incidence
ever recorded, and was equal to a fatality-rate of .09, as compared
with 23 deaths and a fatality-rate of .13 in 1924.
The remarkable decline in the incidence and mortality from
this erstwhile formidable disease of infant life, is one of the most
satisfactory features of modern sanitary progress. The reasons
advanced for this great improvement in our vital statistics has been
referred to in previous annual reports, and it is gratifying to note
that infantile diarrhoea continues to decline, and that we may look
forward confidently to the death-rate under this heading of the
Registrar General's returns as no longer a serious cause of child
mortality.