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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TABLE No. 17. Infantile Mortality Rates per 1,000 Births in Wards.
| 1930. | 1931. | |
|---|---|---|
| Hans Town | 27 | 43 |
| Royal Hospital | 13 | 26 |
| Church | 72 | 70 |
| Cheyne | 15 | 23 |
| Stanley | 49 | 41 |
| Chelsea Borough | 40 | 42 |
| 1930. | 1931. | |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of illegitimate deaths under 1 year | 4 | 8 |
| Illegitimate death rate | 57 | 104 |
APPARENT EXCESSIVE MORTALITY IN THE BOROUGH.
The Census Returns have consistently shown that there is a considerably
higher percentage of persons of advanced age living in Chelsea
than in any other Metropolitan Borough. The 1931 Census Returns
are not yet available. The 1921 Returns showed that in London
generally 7.7 per cent. of the total population were included in the agegroup
55-65, and 5.8 per cent. in the age-group 65 and upwards. In
Chelsea, however, 9.2 per cent. of the total population came within the
age-group 55-65, while no less than 8.8 per cent. constituted the agegroup
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.
In 1931, deaths of pensioners in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, accounted
for 62 deaths, inward transfers included (equivalent to 1.08 of the death
rate). For many years past more than half the deaths in Chelsea have
occurred in persons over 65 years of age.
CAUSES OF SICKNESS IN THE BOROUGH.
The Ministry of Health directs that any causes of sickness and invalidity
which have been specially noteworthy in the area during the
year should be specified.
The incidence of the infectious diseases is dealt with in Section VI.
of this report.