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 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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cancer.
During 1949 the number of deaths of Battersea residents from
Cancer was 269 (males 150, females 119) as compared with 232 in
1948, 252 in 1947, 224 in 1946 and 214 in 1945. The death rate
from the disease per 1,000 of the population was 2.29. The deaths
from Cancer constitute 18.9 per cent. of the total Battersea deaths
during the year.
The following gives the comparative average death rates from Cancer in Battersea for quinquennial periods since 1901.
| 1901-1905 | 0.88 | 1936-1940 | 1.99 |
| 1906-1910 | 0.95 | 1941 1945 | 2.44 |
| 1911-1915 | 1.11 | 1946 | 2.06 |
| 1916-1920 | 1947 | ||
| 1921-1925 | 1.33 | 1948 | |
| 1926-1930 | 1.51 | 1949 | 2.29 |
| 1931-1935 | 1.75 |
The following table shows the localisation of the disease in the case of the 269 deaths recorded in 1949.
| Localisation | No. of Deaths | Percentage of Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | ||||
| Buccal cavity, (Esophagus (M), Uterus (F) | 11 | 10 | 21 | 7.8 | ||
| Stomach and Duodenum | 30 | 16 | 46 | 17.1 | ||
| Breast | - | 19 | 19 | 7.1 | ||
| All other sites | 109 | 74 | 183 | 68.0 | ||
| Total | 150 | 119 | 269 | 100.0 | ||
bacteriological examinations.
The bacteriological examination of clinical material (with the
exception of specimens of sputum, which are dealt with at the Chest
Clinic) is carried out by the Clinical Research Association, of
Watergate House, Strand.
During 1949 the number of bacteriological examinations of
specimens sent in by medical practitioners practising in Battersea was
290 (exclusive of the specimens dealt with at the Chest Clinic).
The following table gives particulars of the bacteriological examinations carried out during the year:—
| Suspected disease | Positive Results | Negative Results | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria | 10 | 275 | 285 |
| Other | — | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 10 | 280 | 290 |
The cost of these examinations is borne by the Council, and in
1949 amounted to £47 14s. l1d.