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 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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26 DEATHS IN INSTITUTIONS.
The deaths of infants from suffocation in bed (overlying) numbered 23 during 1909-13;
fell to 10 during 1914-18 and to 3 during 1919-20. The Index Numbers (average 1909-13 = 100)
are—1914-18, 40 and 1919-20, 20. The Index Numbers for alcoholism (all forms) are—
1914-18, 61 and 1919-20, 34.
The deaths returned as due to criminal abortion numbered 2 during 1909-13, 3 during
1914-18 and 5 during 1919-20—an unsatisfactory record.
DEATHS IN INSTITUTIONS.
The proportion of deaths in various institutions shows no real indication of decreasing.
During 1904-8 31.6 per cent of all deaths occurred away from home, during 1909-13 39.1 per
cent., and during 1914-18 41.1. (See Table XIX., Appendix.) In 1919 the proportion fell to
39.5 per cent., but in 1920 it rose to 43.2. The practice of seeking institutional treatment is
increasing in nearly all parts of the Borough, Lancaster Gate, West, Ward being the only one
in which lower proportions were observed in 1919 and 1920 than during the two preceding
quinquennia. (See below.) The increased percentages recorded in Lancaster Gate, East, Ward
are striking and are, it is presumed, due to changes in the housing conditions which are known
to be taking place in that Ward.
Deaths in Institutions. Percentages of All Deaths, Corrected.
| Borough | Queen's Park | Harrow Road | Maida Vale | West-bourne | Church | Lancaster Gate | Hyde Park | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West | East | ||||||||
| 1909-13 | 39.1 | 39.6 | 32.9 | 31.9 | 35.2 | 47.7 | 22.3 | 20.7 | 30.2 |
| 1914-18 | 41.1 | 44.5 | 39.3 | 35.1 | 40.1 | 57.5 | 27.9 | 28.3 | 39.4 |
| 1919-20 | 41.3 | 42.5 | 43.5 | 35.1 | 41.6 | 51.9 | 21.0 | 30.1 | 35.6 |
| 1919 | 39.5 | 38.9 | 40.6 | 34.7 | 38.6 | 21.6 | 29.3 | 38.4 | |
| 1920 | 43.2 | 47.0 | 48.1 | 35.5 | 45.1 | 51.8 | 20.5 | 33.9 | 32.5 |
Analysing institutional deaths according to the class of institution (see below) it is found
that practically no increase has taken place in the proportion of deaths in the "Voluntary
Hospitals"—those where the best treatment is usually expected and found. The greatest
increases will be found in "Lunatic Asylums" and in "Special Hospitals and Homes," which
include Sanatoria and Homes for the Dying.
Deaths in Institutions. Percentages of All Deaths, Corrected.
| M.A.B. Hospitals | Poor Law Institutions | Lunatic Asylums | Voluntary Hospitals | Special Hospitals and Homes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-13 | 1.9 | 22.3 | 2.9 | 10.2 | 1.8 |
| 1914-18 | 1.7 | 24.1 | 4.3 | 7.5 | 2.0 |
| 1919-20 | 2.0 | 22.9 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 2.2 |
| 1919 | 1.7 | 21.1 | 4.9 | 9.9 | 1.6 |
| 1920 | 2.3 | 24.8 | 2.9 | 10.2 | 2.8 |
VII. STATISTICS OF CHILDHOOD.
0 to 5 years.
Infantile. Mortality.—In 1919 the rate of mortality—fully corrected—was 91 per 1,000
births, and in 1920, 78—the mean for the two years being 83. During 1909-13, the rate
averaged 106 per 1,000 births, rising to 109 during 1914-18. The rates recorded during 1919-20
are the lowest on record. (See Table I., Appendix).
The variations in the mortality rates of males and females are shown below. In
Mortality Rates—per 1,000 births.
| 1909-13 | 1914-18 | 1919-20 | 1919 | 1920 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | 117 | 119 | 95 | 109 | 85 |
| Females | 94 | 98 | 71 | 73 | 70 |
comparision with 1909-13, the rates for 1919-20 show reductions of—19 per cent, males, and
25 per cent. females.