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
Chelsea 1913
Annual report for 1913 of the Medical Officer of Health
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9
The year 1913 was one of exceptionally low mortality in the seven
poor-class streets, and the infantile mortality rate was also very low. The
following Table gives the mortality statistics for the poor-class streets in
four-yearly periods from 1893 up to the present time :—
Table IX.
| Years. | Birth-rate- | Death-rate. | Zymotic Death-rate. | TubercularDiseases Death-rate. | Deaths under one year to 1,000 births. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1893-6 | — | 34•6 | 7•5 | 4•3 | — |
| 1897-1900 | — | 33•7 | 7•0 | 4•6 | — |
| 1901-4 | - | 26•3 | 3•7 | 4•1 | — |
| 1905-8 | 38•0 | 24•4 | 4•2 | 3•4 | 183 |
| *1909-12 | 36•8 | 24•1 | 3•0 | 3•8 | 137 |
| *1913 | 33•9 | 15•2 | 2•6 | 1•1 | 59 |
1893-1908 statistics based on populations of 11 streets.
*1909-1911 „ „ ,, 10 , ,
*1912-1913 „ „ ,, 7 „
* In consequence of demolitions.
INFANTILE MORTALITY. Chelsea. Table X.—Mortality Bates per 1,000 Births, 1901-4, 1905-8, 1909-12, and 1913.
| 1901-4. | 1905-8. | 1909-12. | 1913. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infectious Diseases | 10•0 | 11•5 | 8•0 | 4•1 |
| Diarrhœal Diseases | 23•5 | 26•0 | 18•0 | 18•2 |
| Developmental Defects and Wasting | 48•0 | 37•0 | 34•5 | 33•8 |
| Other Causes | 58•0 | 44•0 | 36•0 | 36•4 |
| Total Rate | 139•5 | 118•5 | 96•5 | 92•5 |
This Table shows that the recent drop in the Infantile Mortality
Rate has affected all the chief divisions of mortality, even such causes as
Premature Birth and Developmental Defects showing a diminution of
mortality in recent years.
The infectious diseases concerned in infantile mortaliy are principally
measles and whooping cough. Developmental defects include premature
birth, congenital defects of the infant, and injury at birth. Other causes
include tubercle, syphilis, meningitis, convulsions, overlaying, bronchitis,
and pneumonia.