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

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Wimbledon 1903

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]

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15
In the case of measles or deaths after consumption, cancer, etc.,
disinfection is encouraged, and on the request of the occupier or
medical attendant the rooms are fumigated and the clothing and
bedding, etc., disinfected.

Diagnostic

The number of specimens of secretion and blood submitted to the Clinical Research Association, and the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine during the year in doubtful cases of diphtheria and typhoid fever, and the results of examination were as follows:—

Bacillus found.Bacillus not found.Total.
Diphtheria Secretion153853
Reaction obtained.Reaction not obtained.Total.
Typhoid (Blood)55

These numbers are somewhat less than last year.
Mortuary.
There were 92 bodies received into the mortuary during the year,
and 37 post-mortems made (35 males and 12 females).
Inquests were held by the Coroner with respect to 37 bodies,
being equal to 9.5 per cent. of all deaths registered in the district.
Water Supply
The district is supplied with water by two of the companies
which supply the Metropolis, viz:—The Southwark and Vauxhall for
that part of the district north of a point some little distance above
Worple Road, and the remaining portion by the Lambeth Water
Compiny.
From time to time during the year complaints were received
from house-holders complaining of the dirty condition of the water,
who before complaining had thought their storage cisterns required
cleansing and had this done, but still the water continued to be dirty.
When water was drawn from the rising main it was of a deep brown
colour.
Mr. Croper, your Surveyor, reported to his committee the condition
of the water supplied to the public swimming bath in Latimer
Road and stated that the colour of the water when the pond was
filled was of a deep brown colour.