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 1937
[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 244 deaths recorded in 1937.
| Localisation. | No. of deaths. | Total. | Percentage of total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | |||
| Buccal cavity | 13 | 2 | 15 | 6.15 |
| Stomach, liver, peritoneum, intestines and rectum | 63 | 52 | 115 | 47.13 |
| Respiratory system | 25 | 2 | 27 | 11.07 |
| Female genital organs | — | 26 | 26 | 10.65 |
| Breast | — | 22 | 22 | 9.01 |
| Skin | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2.46 |
| Genito-urinary organs (male) | 20 | — | 20 | 8.20 |
| Other and unspecified organs | 6 | 7 | 13 | 5.33 |
| Total | 130 | 114 | 244 | 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 1937 insulin was supplied to four such cases.
Thirty-one deaths from this disease were registered in Battersea
in 1937.
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 74) is carried out by the
Clinical Research Association, of Watergate House, Strand.
During 1937 the number of bacteriological examinations of
specimens sent in by medical practitioners practising in Battersea
was 1828 (exclusive of the specimens dealt with at the tuberculosis
dispensary).
The following table gives particulars of the bacteriological examinations carried out during the year :—
| Suspected disease. | Positive Results. | Negative Results. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 143 | 1,659 | 1,802 |
| Enteric fever | 3 | 9 | 12 |
| Tuberculosis | 2 | 12 | 14 |
| Total | 148 | 1,680 | 1,828 |
The cost of these examinations is borne by the Council, and in
1937 amounted to £237 4s. 6d., as compared with £213 10s. 7d.
in 1936.