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

St Pancras 1909

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, London, Borough of]

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Table: II.— Infant Mortality in the First Nine Months of each of the Years1904 to1909.

II.— Infant Mortality in the First Nine Months of each of the Years

1904 to1909.

—Deaths under one year to 1000 births in the first three quarters of each of the years—
190419051906190719081909
England and Wales149131135113115106
76 great towns, including London165142148118123114
London149129133110110104
42 smaller towns157136a140118117107c
England and Wales, less the 218 towns127116b11710110597d

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a, 141 small towns; b, less 217 towns; c, 143 small towns ; d, less 219 towns.
On Tuesday, March 1st, 1910, Mr. Vivian, in the House of Commons, asked
the President of the Local Government Board how many local authorities had
adopted the Notification of Births Act, and what diminution in the infant
death-rate, under one year, had taken place. Mr. Burns wrote in reply : The
Act is now in force in 195 areas of local government — namely, (1) the whole
of the administrative County of London, comprising the City of London and
the 28 Metropolitan Boroughs ; (2; 40 County Boroughs ; (3) 4(i Non-County
Boroughs; (4) 57 Urban Districts; (5) 17 Rural Districts. In the case of
4 Non-County Boroughs, 7 Urban Districts, and 16 Rural Districts the Act is
in force by virtue of its adoption by the Worcestershire County Council.
After giving a list of the various areas which have adopted the Act the Right
Honourable Gentleman proceeded : The death-rates of infants during the first
year of life published by the Registrar-General for England and Wales show
that the figures for the years 1907, 1908, and 1909 were lower than in any
previous year recorded, being 118, 120, and 109 respectively per 1000 births.
The lowest corresponding figure in any previous year was 128 in 1905.
The following is a copy of Advice Card to Mothers revised to date:—
ST. PANCRAS BOROUGH COUNCIL.
Pubi.tc Health Department.
ADVICE TO THE MOTHER.
It is found;—
(1) That a large number of infants are born before full time and diesoon
after birth, or are born so feeble as to live only a few weeks.
This is mainly due to want of health and stamina in the parents,
especially in the mother.