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
Kensington 1911
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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This increased mortality has been largely due to an excessive number of deaths from summer
diarrhoea, but it is satisfactory to note that in spite of the prolonged intense heat experienced in the
summer months, the total death-rate still remained well below the average rates recorded ten years
ago. The mortality was further increased by the occurrence of a serious epidemic of measles which
carried oft no less than 21 infants who had not completed their first year of life.
The difference between the infantile death-rates recorded in the various districts of the Borough is very marked, as will be seen from the following figures:—
| District. | Deaths under one year. | Deaths under one year per 1,000 Births. |
|---|---|---|
| North Kensington | 342 | 148 |
| South Kensington | 93 | 103 |
| St. Charles | 74 | 125 |
| Golborne | 123 | 145 |
| Norland | 99 | 177 |
| Pembridge | 46 | 144 |
| Holland | 23 | 105 |
| Earl's Court | 18 | 88 |
| Queen's Gate | 12 | 95 |
| Redcliffe | 26 | 120 |
| Brompton | 14 | 99 |
| The Borough | 435 | 135 |
The figures in the second column of the Table show that the infantile death-rate in North
Kensington has been nearly half as high again as in South Kensington. The mortality in the
Norland district, which contains Notting Dale, was equivalent to 177 deaths per 1,000 births, whilst
the unsatisfactory social conditions prevailing in Golborne and certain parts of the Pembridge Ward
are reflected by rates which exceeded 140 in both districts. For the Ward of Earl's Court an
infantile death-rate of less than 90 was recorded.
The chief diseases which were registered as the immediate cause of death are summarised in the following list:—
| Cause of Death. | Number of Deaths. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 1911 | |
| Common infectious diseases | 23 | 48 |
| Diarrhoea (including enteritis, etc.) | 33 | 123 |
| Premature birth | 66 | 41 |
| Congenital defects | 27 | 10 |
| Wasting diseases | 48 | 53 |
| Tuberculous diseases | 15 | 15 |
| Syphilis | 1 | 7 |
| Bronchitis and pneumonia | 89 | 63 |
| Overlaying | 4 | 4 |
| Other causes | 39 | 71 |
| 345 | 435 | |