London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wandsworth 1873

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]

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50
to ascertain the cause of death. There are many points
which might be urged in favour of a mortuary, and which
must present themselves to everyone.
Disease and Mortality amongst the Out-door Union
Poor.—The number of cases which presented themselves
for treatment during the year was 519, being 50 in excess
of the previous year, of these 332 were Females and 197
Males, the increase being in general disorders; 36 of the
cases were removed to the Infirmary, 13 to Lunatic
Asylums, 4 to Fever and 1 to the Small Pox Hospitals.
The number of deaths were 28, giving a mortality of 5.4
per cent., a death rate extremely satisfactory, especially
when we consider the conditions under which these people
live, and some of them being extreme cases of disease,
discharged from hospitals as incurable. Of the total
number of cases 79 belonged to the Zymotic class, and
were as follows :—Diarrhoea 26, Measles 14, Erysipelas 13,
Fever 12, (Typhus, Typhoid, and Infantile), Whooping
Cough 7, Scarlet Fever G, and Small Pox 1. Of the nonepidemic
classes, diseases of the Respiratory Organs 103,
Rheumatism 54, Phthisis 12, Violence 15, other diseases
310. The poor no longer attend at the Medical Officer's
residence for treatment, the Guardians having provided a
Dispensary for their use and convenience, situate in the
"Workhouse grounds, St. John's Hill, at which the District
Medical Officer attends at 11 a.m. daily. The Dispensary
is fitted up with eveiy convenience, having Consulting
room, two Waiting rooms, one each for Males and Females
respectively, and a Dispensing department. I trust it will
meet the objects for which it was instituted.
The number of Infants vaccinated at the station in
this district during the year was 542. It is to be regretted
that persons do not recognize the fact that Vaccination
requires renewing at puberty ; it is by that means alone
that almost perfect security can be obtained against Small
Pox. Not a single re-vaccination has been performed
during the year.