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 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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17
CANCER.
During 1950 the number of deaths of Battersea residents from
Cancer was 237 (males 128, females 109), as compared with 269 in
1949, 232 in 1948, 252 in 1947, and 224 in 1946. The death rate
from this disease per 1,000 of the population was 2.01. Deaths from
Cancer constitute 18-1 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 | 1.28 | 1947 | 2.19 |
| 1921-1925 | 1.33 | 1948 | 1.99 |
| 1926-1930 | 1.51 | 1949 | 2.29 |
| 1931-1935 | 1.75 | 1950 | 2.01 |
Details in age groups and the localisation of this disease will
be found on page 7.
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 1950 the number of bacteriological examinations of
specimens sent in by medical practitioners practising in Rattersea was
183 (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 | 1* | 177 | 178 |
| Other | – | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 1* | 182 | 183 |
* This was not a clinical case of Diphtheria.
The cost of these examinations is borne by the Council, and in
1950 amounted to £29 9s.