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8
Public Health in Retrospect
1863-1963
Readers of this Report may be interested in the following extracts
and figures taken from the Annual Report by the Medical Officer of
Health for the Parish of Battersea, Dr. W. Connor, for the year 1863.
Corresponding statistics for 1963 have been given for comparison.
The population of Battersea in 1863 was estimated to be 21,230,
an increase of 930 over the previous year. (1963—102,940, a decrease
of 1,080 compared with 1962.)
" The general mortality of this sub-district was higher than that of
1862, but the deaths arising from zymotic, or preventible disease, I am
happy to say, have much decreased, which I hope may be attributed to
the improved sanitation."
The total number of deaths of Battersea residents in 1863 was 445,
compared with 411 in 1862 (1963—1,288) and the death rate was quoted
and gives the small proportions of 46 deaths in 930 cases treated."
"Sickness and Mortality amongst the Out-door Poor."
A table attached to Dr. Connor's Report " exhibits the nature and
amount of sickness amongst the pauper population of the sub-district
compiled from the Medical Relief Books of the Parochial Medical Officer,
as well as the deaths that have resulted from disease and other causes,
and gives the small proportions of 46 deaths in 930 cases treated."
Comparing the proportion of births to deaths, Dr. Connor reports-—
"There have been 1,042 (1963—2,361) births during the year; 528
males, and 514 females (1963—1,175 males and 1,186 females), presenting
the large excess of 520 births over deaths (1963—1,073) which excess
gives, of course, the natural increase of the population. This excess is
much larger than has been before noted, which speaks much for the
sanitation carried out in this sub-district having exercised a very great
influence in promoting the health and comfort of the inhabitants."
Among the sanitary operations carried out were the emptying and
cleansing of 100 cesspools; the construction of 507 water-closets; 507
houses supplied with water; the provision of 507 dustbins; and 3 pig
nuisances were removed.
Dr. Connor concludes his Report by saying—" It will be manifest
. . . that sanitary improvements have been carried out with the same
unabated energy as in previous years."