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 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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| Sex. | Age. | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 9 months | Pyelonephritis. |
| Male | 6 days | Kernicterus Erythroblastosis fœtalis Prematurity. |
| Male | 2 hours | Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Congenital Morbus Cordis Intra cranial Haemorrhage. |
| Male | 3 days | Cerebral Haemorrhage. |
| Female | 4 days | Congenital Cardiac Malformation. |
| Male | 1 week | Congenital Valvular Disease of the Heart. |
| Male | 1 day | Prematurity |
| Male | 4 days | Pulmonary Hemorrhage. |
| Male | 7 days | Imperforate Anus. |
| Female | 1 week | Atelectasis Prematurity Toxaemia of Pregnancy. |
| Female | 1 day | Cyanosis Spina Bifida. |
| Male | 1 month | Gastro enteritis Prematurity. |
| Male (Twins) | 12J hours | Atelectasis of Lungs |
| 3 hours | and Prematurity. | |
| Natural Death. | ||
| Male | 2 days | Prematurity. |
| Female | 5 days | Peritonitis |
| Ruptured Colon | ||
| Congenital Pelvic Rectal Stenosis. |
PREMATURE BABIES.
It has been stated that premature children weighing less
than 1,500 g. (3.3 lbs.) and measuring less than 35 cm. in length
have practically no chance of life. This statement we know is
not entirely true but it remains true that the infant's chances
of survival decrease in direct ratio to its prematurity and the
reduction of its birth weight. Foetal weights have been
variously computed, but if we take it that the infant does not
generally reach 5^1bs., the premature birth notification weight—
until the end of the 36th week, it is clearly imperative fhat any
births before this time should be in hospital both for their
especial care there and to avoid the possibility of exposure and
chill in transport,
It is an aphorism not yet perhaps widely enough appreciated
that the best arrangements are for the baby to be taken to
hospital in utero. If we risk pursuing this weight argument
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