Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Whitechapel]
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The percentage of death for each age period was as follows: —
26.1 per cent, of the total deaths took place under the age of 1 year.
12.0 ,, ,, ,, between the ages of 1 and 5.
4.4 „ „ „ „ 5 and 20.
13.5 „ „ „ „ 20 and 60.
24.0 ,, ,, ,, ,, 40 and 60.
16.6 ,, ,, ,, ,, 60 and 80.
2.9 ,, „ „ over the age of 80 years.
The importance of this Table will be apparent when compared with
identical Tables for many preceding years. It is only when contrasted with
the same District for a number of years or with a large population like the
Metropolis that the true value of these Tables can be appreciated.
Compared with, the Metropolitan deaths (including Whitechapel) the
infant deaths were as follows : —
The deaths of infants under the age of one year, in London, equalled 24.4
per cent. of the total deaths, and 16.0 per cent. of the registered births; in the
Whitechapel District those infants who died under the age of one year equalled
26.2 per cent. of the total deaths, and 13.9 per cent. of the registered births.
The deaths of children under five years of age, including the above, were,
for London' equal to 36.1 per cent. of the total deaths, and 23.7 per cent. of
the registered births; and for the Whitechapel District they were equal to
38.2 per cent. of the total deaths, and 20.3 per cent. of the registered births.
For comparison purposes I have, as usual, extracted a small table from the
Registrar General's Returns. Once again our District occupies the foremost
position in the list.
The Tower of London deaths are included in those for the Whitechapel
District, although for rating purposes it is extra-parochial.
Sanitary Areas. | 1896. Last Census Population. | Deaths under 1 year to 1,000 Births Registered. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Quarter. | 2nd Quarter. | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter. | Total. | ||
138 | 154 | 635 | ||||
155 | 150 | 747 | ||||
150 | 131 | |||||
144 | ||||||
47,506 | 116 | 156 | ||||
58,305 | 187 | 335 | 178 | |||
134 | 238 | |||||
169,267 | 157 | 285 | 183 | 775 |
This Table, which is a most valuable index to Sanitarians, shows that the
deaths under one year to each thousand births registered, were, for the entire
Metropolis, 635 in the year. The District of Whitechapel lost only 564, being
by far the lowest of the Eastern Districts Limehouse had considerably the
hightest record, with 920 deaths, that is to say, on the yearly totals, for each
1,000 births registered in the Whitechapel District there died, under the age
of one year, 141 infants, as against 230 in Limehouse. I mention the fact
trusting that means may be soon taken to check this large infant mortality.
I have again to deplore the absence of maps which accompany a health
report. Nothing in the way of Tables or Sheet Lists can illustrate so clearly