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 1902
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1902
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REPORT.
POPULATION.
The population of Battersea at the middle of 1902, as
estimated by the Registrar-General, was 171,401. This
estimate is based on the assumption that the rate of increase
of population during the last intercensal period was maintained
during 1901 and 1902, and although it is almost certainly too
high, it has been adopted in this Report, so that the Battersea
statistics may be comparable with those in other districts.
Births.
| Males. | Females, | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Borough | 2,411 | 2,433 | 4,844 |
| East Battersea | 1,109 | 1,099 | 2,208 |
| North-West Battersea | 794 | 849 | 1643 |
| South-West Battersea | 508 | 485 | 993 |
The birth-rate per 1,000 persons living was 28.2, or 3.3
below the decennial average. This is the lowest birth-rate
ever recorded in Battersea, the lowest rates in any previous
years being 3o .6 in 1900, and 29.7 in 1901. The birth-rate
has been steadily declining since 1884, when it was 43.4. In
the eleven years 1891-1902 it has fallen from to per
1,000 population, a decrease of 6.5 per 1,000. The decline
in the birth-rate has not been associated with a decline in
the marriage rate, which, on the contrary, has risen
considerably during the last ten years.