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
Orpington 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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It should be noted that there is a fall in the Birth Rate, which fact
is also applicable to other areas.
The average rate for the period 1944-1953, was 17.1.
Illegitimate Births.
There were 35 illegitimate births registered during the year, giving
an illegitimate birth rate of 0.54 per 1,000 total population, and a rate
of 3.7 per 1,000 live and still births.
Stillbirths.
The total number of stillbirths in the area during 1953 was 17,
which gives a stillbirth rate of 18.0 per 1,000 live and stillbirths, and a
rate of 0.26 per 1,000 total population.
DEATHS.
The total number of deaths belonging to the Urban District and
registered during the year was 634. Of this number, 328 were males
and 306 females.
The Death Rate for the Urban District for the year is 9.8 per
1,000 total population, and 11.4 for England and Wales.
An analysis of the ages at death shows that, of the deaths registered:—
| Total. | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 16 were under 1 year of age | 7 | 9 |
| 6 were 1 and under 5 years of age | 4 | 2 |
| 3 were 5 and under 15 years of age | 2 | 1 |
| 2 were 15 and under 25 years of age | 1 | 1 |
| 27 were 25 and under 45 years of age | 15 | 12 |
| 127 were 45 and under 65 years of age | 78 | 49 |
| 158 were 65 and undei 75 years of age | 81 | 77 |
| 295 were 75 years of age and over | 140 | 155 |
The main causes of death in the Urban District for the past five years were:—
| Disease. | 1949. | 1950. | Year. 1951. | 1952 | 1953. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer | 99 | 114 | 120 | 85 | 108 |
| Heart and Circulatory Diseases | 310 | 342 | 293 | 285 | 320 |
| Respiratory Diseases (not Tuberculosis) | 63 | 66 | 76 | 77 | 81 |
| Tuberculosis | 18 | 11 | 19 | 11 | 10 |
| Infectious Diseases | 6 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 |
| Influenza | 4 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 11 |
| Road Accidents | 7 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Other Accidents | 10 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 3 |
| Other Causes | 119 | 104 | 112 | 92 | 92 |
| 636 | 661 | 654 | 565 | 634 |