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 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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The following table shews the localisation of the disease in the case of the 240 deaths recorded in 1934.
| Localisation. | No. of deaths. | Total. | Percentage of Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | |||
| Buccal cavity | 13 | 1 | 14 | 5.83 |
| Stomach, liver, peritoneum, intestines and rectum | 69 | 54 | 123 | 51.25 |
| Respiratory system | 22 | 7 | 29 | 12.08 |
| Female genital organs | - | 13 | 13 | 5.42 |
| Breast | - | 25 | 25 | 10.42 |
| Skin | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1.67 |
| Genito-urinary organs (male) | 19 | - | 19 | 7.91 |
| Other and unspecified organs | 2 | 11 | 13 | 5.42 |
| Total | 126 | 114 | 240 | 100.00 |
Diabetes.
For some years past, with the sanction of the Ministry of Health,
the Council has borne the cost of insulin required by certain necessitous
patients who were receiving treatment for diabetes at London
hospitals.
During 1934 insulin was supplied to three such cases.
Bacteriological Examinations.
The bacteriological examination of clinical material (with the
exception of specimens of sputum, which are dealt with at the
Tuberculosis Dispensary, vide page 63) is carried out by the
Clinical Research Association, of Watergate House, Strand.
During 1934 the number of bacteriological examinations of
specimens sent in by medical practitioners practising in Battersea
was 2,059 (exclusive of the Tuberculosis specimens).
The following table gives particulars of the bacteriological examinations carried out during the year:—
| Suspected disease. | Positive Results. | Negative Results. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 313 | 1,745 | 2,058 |
| Enteric fever | — | 1 | 1 |
| Gonorrhœa | — | — | — |
| Total | 313 | 1,746 | 2,059 |
The cost of these examinations is borne by the Council, and in
1934 amounted to £263 6s. 10d., as compared with £252 12s. l1d.
in 1933.