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 1928
Report on the sanitary condition of the Borough of Bermondsey for the year 1928
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(28)
The mortality in middle age appears to be closely connected
with the wear and tear of a hard industrial life, whereas in the
young adult it appears to be influenced by what may be termed
the irresponsibility of youth. Boys and girls who have recently
left school and started work have a natural desire to assert their
new independence. They now earn their own livelihood, and
there is a tendency to enjoy life while neglecting many of the
rules of careful living and hygiene, until finally the resistance of
the body is undermined.
It must also be borne in mind, that, at a time of life when it
is most needed, there is a gap in the provision of medical attention.
The School Medical Service ceases to take cognisance of children
at the age of 14 and the insurance system does not begin to operate
until the age of 16 is reached. It is to be hoped that this will soon
be remedied.
TABLE 11. TUBERCULOSIS, 1928 PERIOD BETWEEN NOTIFICATION AND DEATH.
| Period Between Notification and Death | Respiratory System | Other Forms | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | Females | Total | Percentage of Total Deaths | Males | Females | Total | Percentage of Total Deaths | |
| Not notified | 10 | 7 | 17 | 11.82 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 42.86 |
| 0-1 month | 14 | 13 | 27 | 18.89 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 33.33 |
| 1-3 months | 5 | 8 | 13 | 9.10 | – | – | – | – |
| 3-6 months | 3 | 7 | 10 | 7.00 | 1 | – | 1 | 4.76 |
| 6-12 months | 10 | 4 | 14 | 9.80 | 1 | – | 1 | 4.76 |
| 1-2 years | 14 | 6 | 20 | 14.00 | 1 | – | 1 | 4.76 |
| 2-5 years | 17 | 10 | 27 | 18.89 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9.53 |
| Over 5 years | 9 | 6 | 15 | 10.50 | – | – | — | – |
| Totals | 82 | 61 | 143 | 100. 00 | 16 | 5 | 21 | 100 00 |
Table II. shows the deaths from tuberculosis in relation to
the period which elapsed between the date of notification and
death. The figures are far from satisfactory, in that 30% of the
cases which died of pulmonary tuberculosis were either net
notified at all or died within one month of notification. A few of
these cases occurred in mental hospitals outside the district, a