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
Fulham 1926
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1926
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Seasonal mortality.—The mortality in the four quarters of the year under review was as follows:—
| Deaths. | Death-rate. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Quarter | 500 | 12.1 |
| Second Quarter | 416 | 10.1 |
| Third Quarter | 377 | 9.1 |
| Fourth Quarter | 490 | 11.9 |
It will be noted that the highest seasonal mortality
occurred during the first quarter of the year, whereas
during 1925 the mortality was highest during the
fourth quarter. This was due to the epidemic of
measles which commenced in the Autumn of 1925
and assumed its maximum height during the month
of February, 1926.
The following table shows the diseases which caused the largest number of deaths in 1926. Deaths Caused by the five Principal Diseases.
| Disease. | Males. | Females. | Both Sexes. | Percentage of total deaths. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer | 117 | 145 | 262 | 14.6 |
| Heart diseases | 85 | 110 | 195 | 11.0 |
| Tuberculosis (all forms) | 105 | 73 | 178 | 10.0 |
| Bronchitis | 67 | 94 | 161 | 9.1 |
| Pneumonia | 72 | 70 | 142 | 7.9 |
| Totals | 446 | 492 | 938 | 52.6 |
It will be seen that 938 deaths, or 52.6 per cent.
of the total, were caused by five diseases cancer,
heart diseases, tuberculosis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
During 1926 cancer headed the list with 262 deaths,
and diseases of the heart took second place with 195.
It may be mentioned, however, that in 1925 the position
was reversed, as there were 259 deaths from diseases
of the heart, compared with 198 from cancer, so that
taking the two years together heart diseases caused
four more deaths than cancer. In 1924 cancer and