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

Deptford 1910

Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1910

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8
In accordance with the requirements of the Act I have re-copied
the births notified each week on to a form specially provided for the
purpose, and this form has been forwarded weekly to the London
County Council.
Among the 2,786 births notified were 34 sets of twins, of whom
62 were born living (28 males and 34 females) and six were still-born
(two males and four females). Of the 62 born living 12 (eight males
and four females) died under the age of seven months, and the other
50 were alive at the end of the year. Two sets of triplets were born,
one set (all girls) died, two at a month, and the other at three months
old. Of the other set (two girls and a boy) one girl died aged five
days and the other two are still alive.

Table: The following table contains information with regard to the births notified in the different wards, giving the sex, whether born alive or dead, and by whom the birth was notified:—

The following table contains information with regard to the births notified in the different wards, giving the sex, whether born alive or dead, and by whom the birth was notified:—

Ward.Births Notified.Alive.Dead.By whom Notified.
Total.Males.FemalesParent.Doctor.Mid-wife.Other Person.
East717381386698191769935487
North6983333656851321622121941
North-West6533313226322119523415669
South1527577149358691410
South-East2501301202361478639513
South-West3161711453097138847717
Totals278614211365270977861770915237

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By far the largest number of births were notified by midwives,
and I may say that my relations with them have always been of the
friendliest, there has been no friction and as far as we can, I think I
may say we have always worked together.
I have not been brought into such close touch with the doctors
as with the midwives, but whenever I have had reasons to go to them
I have always found them most kind and willing to help in any way.
By the mothers themselves I have been extremely well received;
mine was a new appointment and they frequently were not expecting
me at all, but I have had very little difficulty with any of them, either
in getting into the house or in seeing the baby. They usually are
anxious to carry out any suggestions I may make and the only two
points on which I have had any real trouble with them is in the use
of the baby's "comforter" or "dummy," and in the provision of