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
Merton and Morden 1940
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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| (3)Acceidental deaths- | |
| Knocked down by railway engine | 1 |
| Tetanus after crushing hand in mechanical press | 1 |
| Collision with tram car while crossing road | |
| Collision with motor car | 1 |
| Collision with motor car while riding pedal cycle | 1 |
| Infection of finger after wound by fish bone | 1 |
| Collision with lorry while travelling in fire tender | 1 |
| Collision with lorry while riding pedal cycle | 1 |
| Burns when clothing caught fire | 1 |
| Pall at work | 1 |
| Inhalation of stomach contents in Air passage | 1 |
| Burns from fall against copper | 1 |
Road accidents were responsible for 4 of the total deaths,
being the same number as in 1940 and 1941.
The principal killing diseases are well shown in the brief appended table. Heart disease remains Number One on the list:—
| 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Disease | 151 | 147 | 124 |
| Other Violence | 131 | 32 | 16 |
| Cancer | 76 | 85 | 103 |
| Tuberculosis | 42 | 46 | 47 |
The number of deaths attributable to Cancer in 1942 shows
a considerable rise over the two years but reference to the
appended table seems to suggest no very definite trend. The
number is none the less considerably in excess of the figures
for previous years as is illustrated by the details as shown below.
| 1933 | 54 | 1938 | 89 |
| 1934 | 66 | 1939 | 91 |
| 1935 | 50 | 1940 | 76 |
| 1936 | 74 | 1941 | 85 |
| 1937 | 93 | 1942 | 103 |