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

Bermondsey 1905

Report on the sanitary condition of the Borough of Bermondsey for the year 1905

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10
that deaths from this cause are diminishing all over the kingdom, and though the figures seem
irregular in Bermondsey, still I think one may conclude that there are indications of a change for
the better here. The subject will be considered later under "Notification."

Table: Table J. Phthisis.

Table J. Phthisis.

SUB-DIST.BERMONDSEY.ROTHERHITHE.ST. OLAVE'S.WHOLE BOROUGH.LONDON.
Year.No.Rate.No.Rate.No.Rate.No.Rate.No.Rate.
18951902.22761.89322.692982.1677421.77
18961762.06902.23262.242922.1375671.68
18971742.05641.60332.942711.9976291.71
18981842.19741.87252.312832.1077461.72
18991832.19751.92282.682862.1582751.82
19001692.04471.21292.882351.7878091.71
19011501.82571.48191.952261.7375141.66
19021631.98551.43212.222391.8374241.62
19031471.79561.46181.962211.7071241.54
19041652.02601.57313.482571.9975261.62
Averages for years 1895-1904.1702.04651.67262.532611.9676361.68
19051481.81551.44202.322231.7366221.42

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Alcoholism and Cirrhosis of the Liver.
32 deaths were attributed to this cause in 1905, against 89 in 1904. As remarked in
previous reports these deaths give a very small idea of the deaths caused by these diseases, since
they are often the remote causes of death and are not always mentioned on the certificate for
various reasons.
Cancer and Malignant Disease.
109 deaths were attributed to this cause, 103 being due to carcinoma or cancer as ordinarily
understood, and six to sarcoma. Unfortunately the figures from these diseases show an upward
instead of a downward tendency as in phthisis. What the cause of this, is is still under
investigation. One school hold that the increase is apparent and the other that it is real. Until
the Cancer Research Committee issue their final report we will be obliged to remain in the dark.
Particulars of the last three years combined will be found in annexed table.

Table: Table K. Cancer. Deaths during 1903, 1904 and 1905.

Table K. Cancer. Deaths during 1903, 1904 and 1905.

Forms of the disease. Sex.All ages.15 to 20.20 to 25.25 to 35.35 to 45.45 to 55.55 to 65.65 to 75.75 to 85.85 and upwards
Male.FemaleMale.FemaleFemale.Male.Male.Female.Male.Female.Male.Female.Male.Female.Male.FemaleMale.Female.
Cancer of rectum33.........1.........1476443...111
Cancer of stomach47...............1328...9461013......
Cancer of bowel13............21...1...2411......1......
Cancer of liver30..................1131472613...1
Cancer of breast28...............1...5...10...17...4...1......
Cancer of female pelvis and uterus, etc.55...............4...7...17...19...7...1......
Cancer of œsophagus16........................325...41...1......
Cancer of mouth, tongue and pharynx, cheek and lower jaw24.....................17...623......1......
Cancer of peritoneum6.....................1...12......1...1......
Cancer of other parts37..................22537683.........1
Malignant disease, kind not stated4.....................1...1...11...............
Sarcoma16222......1321...111...............
Totals309222128132431444452303521313

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Heart Diseases.
132 deaths were due to this cause, which is 22 below the figure for 1904. This table
refers to organic or valvular disease of the heart.
Suicides.
11 persons belonging to the Borough committed suicide in 1905, viz., 4 by poison, 2 by
hanging or strangulation, and 5 by drowning. This total is exactly the same as that for 1904,
bat in the latter year there was more variety in the methods employed.