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
Kensington 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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Now the incidence of a disease is also related to the number of susceptible persons, and in the case of a malady
such as juvenile rheumatism, which has a particular age incidence, the population must be corrected for age ;
therefore, the ratio of the total number of children under sixteen in North and South Kensington has been calculated.
This calculation, based on the Census figures for 1921, corrected by the births and child deaths in each
year since 1921, is presented below.
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| Ward. | Total Population (1921 Census). | Estimated child population under 16 years of age in 1930. | Notifications of acute rheumatism under 16 years of age. 1927-28 1928-29 1929-30 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Charles | 24,268 | 7,539 | 34 | 22 | 19 |
| Golborne | 26,329 | 9,932 | 44 | 39 | 30 |
| Norland | 22,106 | 8,136 | 55 | 28 | 29 |
| Pembridge | 19,969 | 4,688 | 14 | 6 | 8 |
| North Kensington | 92,675 | 30,295 | 147 | 95 | 86 |
| Holland | 18,874 | 3,048 | 9 | 3 | 5 |
| Earl's Court | 17,912 | 2,545 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Queen's Gate | 13,777 | 1,252 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Redcliffe | 19,865 | 2,852 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Brompton | 12,759 | 1,329 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| South Kensington | 83,187 | 11,026 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
On combining the notifications for 1927-28, 1928-29 and 1929-30, it is found that North Kensington has
73 per cent. of the children under sixteen years of age, and 91 per cent. of the notified cases ; South Kensington
has 26 per cent. of the children under sixteen years of age, and 8 per cent. of the notified cases.
Of the 78 reports on the 95 notified cases reported this year, in 24 the homes are described as being reasonably
comfortable, while in 54 the circumstances were reduced or very poor.
The statistics, therefore, support the view of Dr. Alison Glover who holds that the incidence of acute
rheumatism increases directly with poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding, and bad housing, and do not support
those who hold that the incidence is greater in the artisan class, or in those just above the poverty line rather
than in classes below that line.
PART II.
THE WORK OF THE CENTRE.
During the three years 1927-1930 that the Centre has been in existence, 543 cases of rheumatism or potential
rheumatism have been supervised. Although the Centre was primarily established to deal with cases from
Kensington it has been the custom to accept cases from other Boroughs whenever advice was required.
The Borough of Hammersmith have made a grant towards the expenses of the Centre (which is held at the
Princess Louise Hospital for Children), and to the Medical Officers, in order that the Centre may be responsible
for the supervision of certain cases referred to the Centre from that borough.
| 1929-30 | 1927-30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington | 128 | 424 |
| Hammersmith | 35 | 100 |
| Hounslow | 1 | 4 |
| Fulham | 4 | 7 |
| Putney | 0 | 2 |
| Paddington | 3 | 4 |
| Chelsea | 2 | 2 |
| 173 | 543 |
During the year 1929-30, 48 sessions have been held at the Princess Louise Hospital, and the average
attendances have been as follows:—
Kensington 12.9
Other Boroughs 3.4
16.3
The total number of attendances, 784.
At the end of the first year 225 cases were under supervision ; by the end of the second this number had
grown to 323, and now it has reached 447. During the three years names have been erased from the books for
various reasons.
Five have died.
Eighteen have moved to another district.
Five have passed the age limit.
Fifteen have not attended when advised to do so.
Fifty-two have been diagnosed as non-rheumatic.
One has been sent to a reformatory.