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
Paddington 1910
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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tuberculous diseases.
A comparison of the age-group mortality rates for males (See below) shows that the whole
of the reduction below the mean rate recorded last year was limited to the ages 15 to 20 and
25 to 65 years (the best and most useful period of life.) Between the ages of 20 to 25 and at
ages of 65 years and upwards the rates increased. Of the corresponding rates among
females, increases were recorded at ages under 20 and 35 to 45.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
| Ages | 0— | 15— | 20— | 25— | 35— | 45— | 55— | 65— | 75— | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males. | 1910 | 0.16 | 0.33 | 1.22 | 1.24 | 1.59 | 2.51 | 1.47 | 3.81 | 1.53 |
| 1905-09 | ||||||||||
| Females. | 1910 | 0.21 | 0.24 | 0.47 | 0.66 | 1.15 | 1.03 | 1.04 | 0.61 | — |
| 1905-09 | ||||||||||
As regards the age mortality rates from other tuberculous diseases, the most satisfactory
feature is the reduction in the rates at ages under 5 years, which occurred in both sexes.
Other Forms of Tuberculosis.
| Ages | 0— | 1— | 5— | 10— | 15— | 20— | 25— | 35— | 45— | 55— | 65— | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males. | 1910 | 3.16 | 1.33 | 0.67 | 0.17 | — | 0.13 | 0.08 | — | 0.31 | 0.24 | — |
| 1905-09 | ||||||||||||
| Females | 1910 | 3.31 | 0.56 | 0.65 | 0.16 | 012 | 0.09 | 0.11 | 0.08 | — | 0.34 | 0.21 |
| 1905-09 | ||||||||||||
Of the 127 deaths certified as due to pulmonary tuberculosis (consumption) during the
year, 57 occurred in institutions, viz.:—35 in Poor Law Institutions, 8 in "Homes for the
Dying," 7 in General Hospitals, 3 (each) in Special Hospitals and Lunatic Asylums, and 1 at
a Sanatorium. The deaths in institutions constituted 44.8 per cent, of the total, rather less
than in the previous year (45.9), the proportion of deaths of males being 46.6, and that of
females, 42.6, the corresponding figures for 1909 being, 47.4 and 43.5 respectively. The
proportions of institutional deaths to total deaths of residents of the individual Wards varied
from 0 in the two Lancaster Gates, to 81.1 per cent, in Queen's Park. The other proportions
(per cent.) were—Harrow Road, 47.2; Maida Vale, 40.0; Westbourne, 33.3; Church, 52.4;
and Hyde Park, 25.0.
As a result of enquiries addressed to the Medical Superintendents of the various
Institutions, the following particulars relating to the deaths therein are submitted:—
Poor Law.—Approximate durations of the disease could be given for 27 out of the 35 deaths,
which, when summarised, gave 10 deaths after less than one year's illness ; 7, after 1—2 years';
4 after 2—3; 1 after 4—5; 2 (each) after 6—7 and 7—8 ; and 1 after 40.
The length of institutional treatment immediately prior to death ranged from one day to
" many years," the information given being summarised below:—
Less than one week 2
1—4 weeks 8
1—3 months 8
3—6 „ 7
6—9 „ 3
9-12 „ 2
Less than one year 30
1—2 years 2
2-3 „ 2
"years" 1
When a case lasts more than (say) three years, it is very difficult to be certain of the
history of the illness. More interest, therefore, attaches to the information relating to
institutional treatment, especially from a public health point of view, in the shorter (and more