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 1957
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1957
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15
A further indication of the seriousness of the problem of bronchitis
is shown in the following tables.
Table A—Personnel absent through sickness
| Dept. | Population at risk | No. sick | % sick | No. due to Bronchitis | % Sickness due to Bronchitis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bldg. Manager | 345 | 128 | 36 | 21 | 16 |
| Boro' Engineer | 330 | 142 | 43 | 39 | 27 |
| Misc. | 150 | 82 | 55 | 13 | 16 |
| Totals | 825 | 352 | 43 | 73 | 20 |
Table B—No. of working days lost
| Dept. | Possible days | Days lost | % Lost | No. days lost due to Bronchitis | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bldg. Manager | 125,600 | 2,516 | 2 | 440 | 17 |
| Boro' Engineer | 113,500 | 4,442 | 4 | 1,278 | 28 |
| Misc. | 516,100 | 2,207 | 4 | 356 | 16 |
| Totals | 755,200 | 9,165 | 3 | 2,074 | 20 |
Examination of the death returns for 1957 showed 18 deaths
from bronchitis as the primary cause but, in a further 77 cases, it was
a contributory factor. When it is known that bronchitis causes some
30,000 deaths a year in England and Wales, then, if the proportion
is only approximately the same, the disablement caused by the
disease must run into many thousands. That this is correct is supported
by the Ministry of Pensions figures for 1953—54 estimating
that at least one tenth of the sickness claims, causing the loss of 25
million working days, were the result of bronchitis.