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
Battersea 1907
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1907
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in the Borough, which is traversed by three important railway
systems. There are signs that a change is taking place in the
character of the population, the artisan element, which until
lately constituted a fairly considerable proportion of the industrial
class, tending to move further out. The increased facilities
of transit provided by the new London County Council Electric
Tramway System make this more practicable. It is to be feared
that these are being replaced, to some extent at least, by a
less desirable class of inhabitant. The recent improvement
schemes which have been carried out in Chelsea necessitated
the pulling down of large areas in that district,
and the consequent dispersal of the inhabitants, many of whom
migrated to Battersea.
Births.
The total number of births belonging to the Borough of
Battersea during 1907 was 4,574.* Of the total births 2,345
were males and 2,229 females, showing an excess of 116
males. The number of births was 421 below the decennial
average 1897-1906, and 701 less than the number in 1884, when
the population was only 121,299.
The births in the sub-districts were as follows†:—
| Males. | Females. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Borough | 2,345 | 2,229 | 4,574 |
| East Battersea | 1,076 | 1,063 | 2,139 |
| North-West Battersea | 822 | 730 | 1,552 |
| South-West Battersea | 447 | 436 | 883 |
*According to the Registrar General the number of births belonging to
Battersea, after the distribution of births occurring in Lying-in Institutions,
including the 77 occurring in the Wandsworth Union Workhouse, during
1907 was 4,692. If these figures are to be accepted the birth-rate for the
Borough for the year under report would be 25. 8.
Note.—Included in the above numbers (Births) are 77 occurring in the Wandsworth
Workhouse, and reported by the M. 0. H., Wandsworth.
†East Battersea consists of that portion of the Borough lying East of
Bridge Road and Latchmere Road, and North of Lavender Hill.
North-West Battersea consists of that portion of the Borough lying
West of Bridge Road and Latchmere Road, and North of the Windsor Line
of the London & South Western Railway.
South-West Battersea consists of that portion of the Borough lying
South of Lavender Hill and South of the Windsor Line of the London &
South Western Railway, and West of Latchmere Road.