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
Hampstead 1909
Report for the year 1909 of the Medical Officer of Health
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The next table gives the anatomical distribution of the disease in each sex. It will be noted that a large proportion of the patients, 54 out of a total of 85 cases, were females. In 33 cases the patients were over 65 years of age.
| Situation. | Males. | Females. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brain | 1 | - | l | |
| Tongue | 1 | - | l | |
| Larynx | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Breast | - | 14 | 14 | |
| Thorax | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Esophagus | 4 | - | 4 | |
| Liver | 3 | 4 | 7 | |
| Stomach | 7 | 8 | 15 | |
| Uterus | - | 7 | 7 | |
| Intestines | 9 | 9 | 18 | |
| Other abdominal organs | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Other situations | 2 | 6 | 8 | |
| Totals | 31 | 54 | 85 | |
Alcoholism.
In 3 cases death was certified to be due to Alcoholism, and 9
persons died from Cirrhosis of the Liver, a disease usually attributed to
the consumption of alcohol. The total number of deaths recorded as
due to alcohol was, therefore, 12, as compared with 16 in 1908, but this
is certainly an under-statement of the total mortality that may be
directly attributed to this drug. Deaths due to alcoholism, especially
those occurring in the higher social ranks, are often certified to be due
to some less invidious condition. If death certificates, instead of being
handed to the patient's relatives, were sent by the certifying practitioner
direct to the Registrar, there is little doubt that the recorded mortality
from alcoholism and certain other diseases would soon show a marked
increase.
Diseases of the Circulatory System.
These accounted for 141 deaths, as compared with 133 in 1908.
Diseases of the Respiratory System.
The total mortality from these diseases was 170, as compared with
123 in 1908. 13 deaths occurred in children under five years of age,
and 84 in persons aged from 65 years upward.