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
Coulsdon and Purley 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Coulsdon]
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The following table gives the population, and birth, death, maternal and other important mortality rates for the last seven years:—
| Rates for 1,000 population: | 1939. | 1940. | 1941. | 1942. | 1943. | 1944. | 1945. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth rate | 13.5 | 12.3 | 12.6 | 17.1 | 17.4 | 16.9 | 14.0 |
| Percentage illegitimate | 3.4% | 3.0% | 5.7% | 4.8% | 5.7% | 4.6% | 5.0% |
| Stillbirth rate | 0.42 | 0.35 | 0.42 | 0.56 | 0.66 | 0.42 | 0.43 |
| Death rate | 8.9 | 11.5 | 11.6 | 10.7 | 10.5 | 12.9 | 10.2 |
| Cancer death rate | 1.58 | 1.45 | 1.92 | 1.74 | 1.51 | 1.91 | 1.75 |
| Tuberculosis death rate (per 100,000 population) | 21 | 43 | 55 | 40 | 38 | 65 | 29 |
| Violence (including suicide) | 0.49 | 1.18 | 0.75 | 0.40 | 0.42 | 1.35 | 0.41 |
| Maternal mortality rate | 2.62 | 4.66 | 1.68 | 1.10 | 1.07 | 2.21 | - |
| Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 registered births) | 43 | 37 | 52 | 45 | 36 | 33 | 32 |
| Neo-natal mortality rate | 29 | 32 | 36 | 31 | 23 | 18 | 28 |
| Estimated population (in thousands) | 56,400 | 50,920 | 46,820 | 49,760 | 51,660 | 50,240 | 53,460 |
BIRTHS.
During the year 1945, 750 births were registered as occurring in the
District, of which 377 were male and 373 were female. It will be seen
by reference to the above table that this is equal to an annual birth rate
of 14.0 per 1,000 population, as compared with 16.9 in 1944 and 17.4
the previous year.
The fluctuations in the local birth rate appear to reflect the course
of the war and its influence on the younger age groups. With initial
uncertainty and the retrogressive military situation the rate fell, but with
comparative stabilisation and the encouragement of young women by
propaganda and frequently the alternative of compulsory service, the
rate became abnormally high in 1942-4. The drop in 1945 may reflect
the absence of the maximum number of men overseas. These surmises
as to the causes of the local variations are supported by the steady
increase which has occurred nationally from 14.8 in 1939 to 17.7 in 1944
and 16.1 in 1945. This District having but few industries, a relatively
large proportion of the younger residents were in the services or
evacuated.
Illegitimacy.—In 1945, of the births registered, 48 were illegitimate
(24 males and 24 females), this being nine more than in the preceding
year. The percentages shown in the preceding table reveal the increase
which is expected in war-time, but compared with the period 1915-19,
when the average percentage was 5.7, the increase was not as great as
might have been anticipated. The proportion of illegitimate births fell
steadily after the first world war and it is hoped this will be the tendency
in future.
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