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
Mitcham 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]
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10
Infant Mortality
During the year 38 deaths were registered as occurring in infants under one year of age: —
| Males | Females | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legitimate | 21 | 17 | 38 |
| Illegitimate | — | — | — |
| Total | 21 | 17 | 38 |
as compared with 41 deaths last year.
The infantile mortality rate for the year is equal to 38 per
1,000 live births, as against 43 per 1,000 last year.
The infant mortality rate for England and Wales was 53 per
1,000 for 1937 and 58 per 1,000 for 1937.
Maternal Mortality
During the year three deaths were registered as being due to
diseases or accidents of pregnancy, compared with two deaths
last year. The following is a summary of the causes of death:—
One death due to toxaemia of pregnancy.
One death due to rheumatic heart.
One death due to sub acute yellow atrophy of liver.
All maternal deaths occurring within the district are enquired
into personally by the Medical Officer of Health, and a confidential
report is forwarded to the Chief Officer of the Ministry of
Health.
Inquests
Inquests were held on 48 residents dying within the district
and on nine Mitcham residents who died outside the district,
a total of 57. In addition the coroner held thirteen post mortems
without inquests.
The following table shows the results of the findings of these
inquests:—