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 1926
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chelsea, 1926
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During the years 1925 and 1926 the number of nett deaths in the Borough and the corresponding death rates were as shown in the following table:— TABLE No. 8.
| Year. | Nett Deaths. | Death Rate. |
|---|---|---|
| 1925 | 883 | 13.6 |
| 1926 | 812 | 12.5 |
The seasonal mortality in the four quarters of 1926 was as follows:—
First quarter, 13.4; second quarter, 12.5 ; third quarter, 9.6; fourth
quarter, 14.5.
The 1921 Census Returns show that there is a considerably higher
percentage of persons of advanced age living in Chelsea than in any other
Metropolitan borough. In London generally 7.7 per cent. of the total
population are included in the age-group 55-65, and 5.8 per cent. in the
age-group 65 and upwards. In Chelsea 9.2 per cent. of the total population
come within the age-group 55-65, while no less than 8.8 per cent.
constitute the age-group 65 and upwards.
These facts must be borne in mind in any analysis of the Chelsea
mortality rate, as they are naturally reflected in the death returns. Thus,
in 1926 deaths of pensioners in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, accounted
for 60 deaths (equivalent to 0.92 of the death rate).
DEATHS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
In tabular form is shown below the number of deaths of Chelsea residents
which took place in various Institutions during the year. Of the
642 Chelsea deaths registered in the Borough, 367 occurred in Institutions
within the Borough.
TABLE No. 9.
| Hospitals or Institutions within the Borough. | Number of Deaths. |
|---|---|
| St. Luke's Hospital and Chelsea Institution | 274 |
| Royal Hospital for Pensioners | 60 |
| Cancer Hospital | 11 |
| Victoria Hospital for Children, Tite Street | 7 |
| St. Stephen's Hospital (Westminster Infirmary) | 9 |
| Brompton Hospital | 3 |
| Chelsea Hospital for Women | 2 |
| Cheyne Hospital for Children | — |
| Freemasons Hospital | 1 |
| St. George's Home for Tuberculosis | — |
| 367 |