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
Edmonton 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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give rise to deaths in any significant numbers. The rise of deaths due to
premature birth, from 34 to 48, is startling! Is the use of abortifacients becoming
more popular in Edmonton, or are the other ante-natal causes on the
increase ?
The Children Act, 1908, is referred to in the section "Legislation."
Zymotic Death-Rate. This rate is a statement of the number of
deaths from the seven principal zymotic diseases per thousand of the population.
There were 120 deaths from these diseases during the year, and the
zymotic death-rate is therefore 1.99, as compared with 2.08 for the previous
year. This figure is a reduction on last year, and equals the previous lowest
record of 1903. The zymotic death-rate for 1908 in London was 1.35; in the
76 great towns, 1.59; in England and Wales, 1.29; and in the 142 smaller
towns (which include Edmonton) the zymotic death-rate was 1.26.
The following Table shows the deaths from these diseases distributed amongst the three Wards:—
| DISEASE. | Whole District. | Bury Street. | Church Street. | Fore Street. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small pox | – | – | – | – |
| Measles | 19 | 9 | 8 | 2 |
| Scarlet Fever | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Whooping Cough | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Diphtheria | 27 | 11 | 12 | 4 |
| Enteric Fever | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Diarrhœa | 41 | 21 | 9 | 11 |
| Total | 120 | 59 | 38 | 23 |
| Rates | 1.99 | 2.98 | 1.90 | 1.10 |
The average Zymotic Death-Rate for the previous ten years was 3.64. In the following table is set out the Death - rate, Infantile Mortality and Zymotic Death-rate for 1908 and past ten years:—
| Nett Death-rate. | Infantile Mortality. | Zymotic Death-rate. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1898 | 16.8 | 195.8 | 5.08 |
| 1899 | 17.4 | 161.8 | 4.6 |
| 1900 | 16.0 | 168.1 | 2.6 |
| 1901 | 14.3 | 139.0 | 2.4 |
| 1902 | 17.8 | 143.6 | 4.7 |
| 1903 | 13.7 | 140.3* | 1.9 |
| 1904 | 15.8 | 161.8 | 3.87 |
| 1905 | 13.3 | 128.0 | 2.36 |
| 1906 | 13.7 | 131.8 | 3.03 |
| 1907 | 13.3 | 121.1 | 2.08 |
| 1908 | 12.1 | 117.4 | 1.99 |
*In calculating the Infantile Mortality for the year 1903, deaths due to premature birth
were included for the first time.