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 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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CAUSES OF, AND AGES AT, DEATH OF INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR OF AGE IN KENSINGTON DURING 1931.
| Causes of death. | Under 1 week. | 1—2 weeks. | 2—3 weeks. | 3—4 weeks | Total 4 weeks. | 1—3 months | 3—6 months. | 6—9 months. | 9—12 months. | Total infant deaths under 1 year. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Common infectious diseases (Whooping cough 2) (Diphtheria 1) (Erysipelas 1) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2. Tuberculosis | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| 3. Pneumonia, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases | — | 3 | l | 2 | 6 | 6 | 30 | 17 | 4 | 63 |
| 4. Enteritis | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 32 |
| 5. Complications of birth (Atelectasis 4) | 2 | 1 | l | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
| 8. Congenital malformation | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | 11 |
| 7. Premature birth | 31 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 36 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 41 |
| 8. Atrophy, debility and marasmus | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 16 |
| 9. Other diseases (Meningitis 2) (Convulsions 4) (Influenza 2) (Pyloric stenosis 3) (Other conditions 5) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 16 |
| Totals | 39 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 56 | 32 | 52 | 34 | 14 | 188 |
| Death rate in each age period per 1,000 births | 15.7 | 32 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 22.5 | 12.8 | 20.9 | 13.6 | 5.6 | 76 |
| Percentage of total infant deaths occurring in each age period | 20.7 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 29.7 | 17.0 | 27.6 | 18.0 | 7.4 |
The high infant mortality rate which has persisted in the borough for many years has received
considerable attention by the council, the appropriate committees and various voluntary organisations
within the borough.
In 1929, the medical practitioners working in North Kensington appointed a special subcommittee
to investigate the problem and their report was published as an appendix to my annual
report for 1930.
This report, which was an admirable one, received much attention, but those who were
responsible for its preparation concluded that a more detailed investigation was necessary before
final opinions could be expressed. These doctors have, therefore, in conjunction with the
Paddington and Hammersmith doctors, established a large and active committee which is
investigating infant deaths in these three boroughs in co.operation with the medical officers
of health.
In this work, the doctors are receiving the help of the council's maternity and child welfare
committee, the officers of the public health department and the various voluntary organisations
in the borough. Similar assistance is being given in the other two boroughs and it is hoped
eventually to publish a report of considerable value.