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 1941
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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Owing to war conditions the incidence of scabies and
verminous conditions began to increase, and special
measures have been taken to control the outbreak.
After forty years' service with the Council, Mr. J.H.
Wilson, the Chief Clerk, retired on grounds of ill-health
in 1941, and his place has been filled by Mr. J.S. Wheeler,
one of the Council's sanitary inspectors.
The public health staff, both permanent and temporary,
have worked extremely well to maintain the public health
and the efficiency of the Civil Defence Casualty Services,
and they are grateful for the encouragement and support
given by the Mayor, the Public Health Committee and
members of the Council.
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1941.
| Area of Borough | 2,291 acres | No. of deaths | 1,664 |
| Rateable Value | £3,033,729 | Deaths rate | 17.1 |
| Product of 1d. rate | £8,531 | No. of infant deaths | 67 |
| Population (estimated) | 97,180 | (a)legitimate | 62 |
| Density of population per acre | 43 | (b)illegitimate | 5 |
| Infant Mortality rate:- | |||
| No. of inhabited houses | 26,820 | (a) All infants per 1,000 births | 62 |
| Total live births | 1,239 | (b) Legitimate infante per 1,000 legitimate births | 66 |
| (a) legitimate | 1,099 | ||
| (b) illegitimate | 140 | (c) Illegitimate infants per 1,000 illegitimate births | 36 |
| Birth rate | 12.7 | ||
| No. of maternal deaths | 2 | ||
| Total still births | 54 | Maternal mortality rate per 1,000 total live and still births | 1.8 |
| (a) legitimate | 45 | ||
| (b) illegitimate | 9 | ||
| Still birth-rate per 1,000 live births | 41.8 | Zymotic disease death rate (lowest on record) | 0.15 |