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 1931
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chelsea, 1931
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12
Social Conditions.—The density of population (number of persons
per acre) as shown by the 1921 Census, is 97, the corresponding figure
for London, as a whole, being 60. The density of population of each of
the five Wards in the Borough is as follows:— Church Ward, 124;
Stanley Ward, 122; Hans Town Ward, 98; Cheyne Ward, 83; Royal
Hospital Ward, 59.
Analysis of the 1921 Census figures shows that there is a greater proportion
of unoccupied and retired persons in Chelsea than in any other
Metropolitan borough. There is, however, a considerable "working
class" population. Thus, of a total of 21,000 adult males, about 17,000
are occupied. The chief occupations are transport work (2,990), personal
service (1,971), metal work (1,144), and clerical work (1,017). Nearly
one half of the 32,000 adult females are occupied. Of these, domestic
servants account for 9,900, dressmakers number 1,355, shop assistants
1,900, and clerks 1,200.
There are no dangerous or offensive trades carried on in the Borough.
There is no evidence that any of the occupations of the inhabitants
exerts a deleterious influence on the public health.
| Total | M. | F. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Births:— | ||||
| Birt h rate per 1,000 of the estimated resi-dent population 12.8 | ||||
| Legitimate | 658 | 332 | 326 | |
| Illegitimate | 77 | 34 | 43 | |
| Still Births | 26 | 17 | 9 | Rate per 1,000 total (live and still births) births 34.2 |
| Deaths | 805 | 423 | 382 | Death rate per 1,000 of the estimated resident population 14.1 |
Deaths from diseases and accidents of pregnancy and childbirth:—
From sepsis 3
From other causes 1
Death rate of Infants under one year of age :—
All infants, per 1,000 Live Births 42
Legitimate infants per 1,000 legitimate live births 35
Illegitimate infants per 1,000 illegitimate live births 104
Deaths from Measles (all ages) 1
Deaths from Whooping Cough (all ages) 3
Deaths from Diarrhœa (under 2 years of age) 4