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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 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]

Published
1938
Pages
82
Tables
99

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99 tables in this report

  • Page 2
    SUMMARY OF STATISTICS for the Year 1937.
  • Page 3
    During the year, 2,104 marriages were registered, representing a rate of 12.0 marriages per 1,000 of the population. The place of marriage is set out in the following table:—
  • Page 3
    The number of births registered was 2,125, after correction for inward and outward transfers; and the birth rate for the borough was 12.1 per 1,000 population. Distributed according to sex and legitimacy the births were as follows:—
    Male.Female.Total.
  • Page 4
    Tableshowing the number of births and the birth rates in England and Wales, London, Kensington, and the various wards in the borough in 1937, and the rates for the previous five years:—
    District.1937.Birth rates in previous years.
    No. of births.Birth rate.19361935193419331932
  • Page 4
    The decline in the birth rate in Kensington since 1881, which is similar to that taking place throughout the country, is shown in the following table :—
    Period.Birth rate per 1,000 population.
  • Page 4
    The following table indicates the source of notification and the kinds of births notified:
    Source of notification.Number of births notified.
    Still births.Live births.Total births.
  • Page 6
    Causes of Death.—The following list shows certain causes of death which are important in themselves or from the fact that they contributed a considerable share to the total mortality for the year:—
    Cause of death.Number of deaths.
  • Page 6
    Deaths from Cancer, 1937.
    Parts affected.Sex.Total.
    Male.Female.
  • Page 6
    The deaths in the several wards, etc., are set out in the following table :—
  • Page 7
    Continued from previous page...
  • Page 7
    Table showing the number of deaths in 1937 from certain diseases of public health importance, arranged in four-weekly periods.
    Four weeks endingScarlet fever.Whooping cough.Diphtheria.Influenza.Phthisis.Cancer.Bronchitis.Pneumonia.Diarrhoea and enteritis.
  • Page 7
    The following table gives the births and the infant death rates in England and Wales, London, Kensington and the various wards of the borough for the year 1937, and the infant death rates for the previous four years:—
    District.1937.Infant mortality rates in previous four years.
    No. of births.No. of deaths of children under 1 year of age.Infant mortality rate.1936193519341933
  • Page 8
    Infant Mortality Rates, 1896-1937.
    Period.England and Wales.London.Kensington.
  • Page 8
    Causes of, and ages at, deaths of infants under one year of age in Kensington during 1937.
    Causes of death.Under 1 week.1-2 weeks.2-3 weeks.3-4 weeks.Total 4 weeks1—3 months.3—6 months6—9 months.9—12 months.Total infant deaths under 1 year.
  • Page 9
    Deaths in Quarters of the Year.
    Disease.1st.2nd.3rd.4th.Total.
  • Page 11
    The work performed during 1937 was as follows:-
    Disease suspected.Examinations.Positive.
  • Page 11
    The following examinations were also carried out:-
  • Page 11
    The following is a record of the work carried out by the child life protection visitor:—
  • Page 12
    The following is a table of cases attended and visits paid by nurses of the association on behalf of the council from the 1st January to the 31st December, 1937:—
    Cases.Visits.
  • Page 13
    The beds are allocated as follows:—
  • Page 13
    There is in Notting Dale a school treatment centre managed by a sub-committee of the Princess Louise hospital board of management, and the work performed there during 1937 was as follows:—
    New cases.Total attendances.
  • Page 13
    A school treatment centre has also been conducted at the baby clinic premises in Tavistock Road, and the record of work for 1937 is as follows:—
    New cases.Total attendances.
  • Page 14
    Table showing number examined and defects found.
    Number examinedBoys.Girls.
    Entrants. 824Age 7. 580Age 11. 544Age 14. 699Entrants. 801Age 7. 592Age 11. 569Age 14. 699
    Cases.*Cases.*Cases.*Cases.*Cases.*Cases.*Cases.*Cases.*
  • Page 14
    Table showing the conditions in regard to clothing, nutrition, cleanliness, teeth and vision of the children examined.
    Age Groups.Number examined.Clothing and boots.Nutrition.Cleanliness of head.Cleanliness of body.Teeth.Vision.
    Good.Fair.Poor.Good.Average.Below normal.Bad.Clean.Nits.Pediculi.Clean.Dirty.Pediculi.All sound.Less than 4 decayed.Four or more decayed.6/6 in both eyes.6/9 in either or both eyes.6/12 or worse in either or both eyes.
  • Page 16
    Subscriptions to Hospitals, etc.
    £s.d.£s.d.
  • Page 17
    Payments to Maternity and Child Welfare Institutions.
    £s.d.£s.d.
  • Page 17
    The following table deals with (a) drainage work undertaken voluntarily by owners and supervised by the officers of the public health department, and (b) all drainage work required by notices served under the Public Health (London) Act, and carried out under the supervision of the sanitary inspectors:—
    Voluntary work.Work under notice.
  • Page 18
    The following table shows a summary of the inspections, etc., carried out by the district and housing inspectors during the year:—
    DESCRIPTION OF WORK.DISTRICT INSPECTORS.Hous-ing Inspec-tors.Total.
    1234567
  • Page 18
    The following table shows the number of notices which have been issued in respect of nuisances, defects, etc., found during the year:—
    DISTRICT INSPECTORS.Hous-ing Inspec-tors.Total
    1234567
  • Page 19
    Summary of works completed under the supervision of the district and housing inspectors during the year:—
    DESCRIPTION OF WORK.DISTRICT INSPECTORS.Housing Inspectors.Total.
    1234567
  • Page 20
    Summary of Legal Proceedings taken in 1937.
    Offence.No. of summonsesMagistrate's decision.
  • Page 21
    The following Table gives the site from which the samples were taken and the total cell-count of organisms found in the samples:—
    Date of taking sample.Site in bath from which sample was taken.Total cell-count of organisms per c.c. of water.
  • Page 22
    The total number of bathers using the swimming baths and slipper baths in the last five years are shown in the following table:—
    Year.Bathers.
  • Page 22
    In the washhouses or laundry department there were 88 washtubs in use in 1937. The number of women using the washtubs in the last five years is as follows:—
  • Page 22
    The following table is a record of his work for the year:—
  • Page 24
    FACTORIES AND WORKSHOPS. The following table shows the various trades and occupations carried on in registered workshops and factories where men are employed:—
    Trade or business.Workshops.Factories.Total.
  • Page 25
    Factories and workshops where women are employed.—The following table shows the various trades and occupations carried on in registered workshops and factories where women are employed:—
    Trade or business.Workshops.Factories.Total.
  • Page 25
    The number of outworkers belonging to each of these three classes is shown in the following table:—
  • Page 26
    The nature of the work given out to the 188 home workers on the register is as follows:—
  • Page 26
    Home Office Tables. The following tables contain a summary of the inspections made and the defects found and remedied in workshops and factories within the borough where men, women, or young persons are employed:— I.—Inspections.
    Premises.Number of
    Inspections.Written notices.Prosecutions.
  • Page 26
    II.—Defects Found.
    Particulars.Number of defects.Number of prosecutions.
    Found.Remedied.Referred to H.M. Inspector.
  • Page 28
    The work performed by the health visiting staff during 1937 in regard to maternity and child welfare is summarised in the following table:—
    Description of work.Health Officers.
    No. 1No. 2No. 3No. 4No. 5* No. 6No. 7* No. 8No. 9No. 10Total.
  • Page 29
    The work done at these institutions during 1937 is shown in the following table:—
    Particulars of work done.Bramley Road.Campden Hill.Dalgarno. (municipal).Golborne.Kenley Street, (municipal).Lancaster Road.Raymede. (municipal).South Kensington.Totals.
  • Page 30
    table showing the dental treatment performed at the centres in 1937.
    Centre.Patients.AttendancesExtractions.Fillings.Dentures.Other treatments.
  • Page 30
    Statement of work done during last five years.
    19331934193519361937
  • Page 34
    The following table shows a record of children's attendances at the day nurseries in 1937:
    Gol- borne.Lancaster Road.Notting Hill.St. Clement's.Totals.
  • Page 34
    The following table gives particulars of the dried milk supplied at cost price:-
    Name of welfare centre at which the dried milk was distributed.No. of 1-lb. packets sold.value of milk sold.
  • Page 35
    The following is a record of the lectures given during 1937:—
    Lectures given.Individual mothers attending.Attendances.Average attendance at lecture.
  • Page 36
    HOUSING. Clearance Areas. Royal Crescent Mews.—This area, situated in the Norland ward, consists of sixteen houses of the cottage type. It was represented to the public health committee on the 21st December, 1937, as a clearance area. Other Areas.—The following table gives particulars of the other clearance areas dealt with since 1930:—
  • Page 38
    The following tables show how the families were rehoused:—
    Basement families.Families.Persons.
  • Page 38
    Overcrowded non-basement families.
  • Page 39
    Individual Unfit Houses Repairable At Reasonable Cost. Section 9—Housing Act, 1936. The following table gives a summary of the action taken and the results obtained during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1937:—
    Outside improvement areas.Inside improvement areas.Total.
  • Page 41
    Table II.
  • Page 45
    This statement does not give any indication of the general quality of the milk supplied in the borough, and it will therefore be interesting to note from the following table the average composition of the samples taken:— Average composition of formal milk samples taken in 1937.
    Months.Number of formal samples taken.Average composition of all samples submitted, genuine and adulterated.Average composition of genuine samples.Ministry of Agriculture standard.
    Percentage of milk fat.Percentage of solids not fat.Percentage of milk fat.Percentage of solids not fat.Percentage of milk fat.Percentage of solids not fat.
  • Page 45
    The following table has been prepared to show the number of samples (formal and informal) of good, fair and poor quality milk, all of genuine composition, taken during each quarter of the year:— Classification of genuine milk samples according to quality.
    Period.Good quality.Fair quality.Poor quality.Total.
  • Page 46
    Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, and Milk and Dairies Order, 1926.—A summary of the alterations made in the register of dairymen and dairies during 1937, and the number of persons and dairies registered at the end of the year, is shown in the following table :—
    Purveyors of milk in sealed bottles.Dairymen.Dairies and milkshops.
  • Page 47
    The licences granted in 1937 were as follows :—
    Principal licences.Supplementary licences.
  • Page 47
    The results of the examinations are shown in the following tables:— Tuberculin Tested Milk.
    Samples collected onMethylene Blue Test.Bacillus Coli.
  • Page 47
    Pasteurised Milk.
    Samples collected onBacteria per ml.Samples collected onBacteria per ml.
  • Page 48
    The following is a summary of the alterations made in the council's register of food premises during 1937:—
    On register Dec. 31,1936.Added to register during 1937.On register Dec. 31.1937.
  • Page 50
    Particulars of formal and informal samples collected are as follows:—
    Nature of sample.Formal.Informal.
    Number taken.Number adulterated.Number taken.Number adulterated.
  • Page 51
    Continued from previous page...
    Nature of sample.Formal.Informal.
    Number taken.Number adulterated.Number taken.Number adulterated.
  • Page 51
    The following is a summary of the results of analyses of the 40 adulterated formal and informal samples, together with a record of the action taken by the council:—
    Article analysed.Nature and amount of adulteration.Action taken.
  • Page 52
    Continued from previous page...
    Article analysed.Nature and amount of adulteration.Action taken.
  • Page 53
    The following is a summarv of the works which have been required:—
    193519361937
  • Page 53
    Where during the course of the inspections under the Shops Act any infringements or contraven-tions under the Public Health Act were observed, the additional requirements were included on the notices served. The following is a summary of the works required in shops under the Public Health Act:—
    193519361937
  • Page 54
    Table showing Notifications of certain Infectious Diseases received in 1933-37.
    YearSmall-pox.Scarlet fever.Diph-theria.Enteric fever.Erysipelas.Ophthalmia neonatorum.Puerperal fever.Puerperal pyrexia.Pneumonia.Malaria.Encephalitis lethargica.P. m'itis & polioencephalitis.Acute rheumatism.Cerebro spinal meningitis.Dysentery.*Enteritis.Total.
  • Page 54
    Table showing Cases of Infectious Diseases occurring during the year, arranged in Four-Weekly Periods (2nd January, 1937, to 1st January, 1938).
    Four Weeks endingSmallpox.Scarlet fever.Diphtheria.Enteric fever.Ery sipelas.Ophthalmia neonatorum.Puerperal fever.Puerperal pyrexia.Pneumonia.Malaria.Encephalitis lethargica.Polio myelitis.Acute rheumatism.Cerebro spinal meningitis.Dysentery.Enteritis.Total.
  • Page 55
    Table showing the number of cases of infectious disease notified in the various age periods and wards; the number admitted to hospital; and the total deaths from these diseases in 1937.
    Notifiable Disease.Number of cases notifiedTotal cases notified in each ward.Cases admitted to hospital.Total deaths.
    At all agesAt ages.—Years.St. Charles.Golborne.Norland.Pem bridge.Holland.Earl's Court.Queen's Gate.Redcliffe.Brompton.
    Under 1.1 to 2.2 to 3.3 to 4.1 4 to 5.|5 to 10.10 to 15.15 to 20.20 to 35.35 to 45.45 to 65.65 and over.
  • Page 56
    Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—The following table gives particulars of ophthalmia cases notified and the results of treatment:—
    Case. No.Cases.Vision unimpaired.Vision impaired.Total blindness.Death.
    Notified.Treated.
    At home.In hospital.
  • Page 58
    Cleansing of Verminous Persons. The cleansing of verminous persons is carried out at the medicinal baths, Blechynden Mews. The record of work done is as follows :—
    Scabies.Vermin.Impetigo.Other conditions.
    Persons.Cleansings.Persons.Cleansings.Persons.Cleansings.Persons.Cleans ings.
  • Page 60
    The bedding in connection with the above removals weighed 48 tons 18 cwt. 0 qr. 20 lbs., and this was treated by steam at the council's disinfecting station. The articles treated by steam were as follows:—
  • Page 60
    The following table gives the bodies for whom removals were undertaken during the year :—
  • Page 60
    Disinfection after Infectious Diseases, etc. SUMMARY OF WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE DISINFECTING STAFF DURING 1937.
    Nature of infection.Premises disinfected.Rooms disinfected.Disinfections at Wood Lane.No. of articles disinfected.
  • Page 61
    The following table shows the number of cases of tuberculosis in the various parts of the borough on the 31st December, 1937, and the number of cases notified for the first time during the year :—
    Cases in the borough on 31st December, 1937.New cases notified during 1937.
  • Page 62
    The following table gives the age and sex distribution of the cases notified for the first time during the year, and the age and sex distribution of the deaths during the year:—
    New cases.Deaths.
    Respiratory.Non-respiratoryRespiratory.Non-respiratory
    M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.
  • Page 63
    The following table shows the sources of the new notifications during the year:—
    Cases.
  • Page 63
    The following table shows the number of cases added to and the number removed from the notification register during the year:—
    Respiratory.Non-respiratory.Totals.
    Males.Females.Males.Females
  • Page 63
    One of the characteristics of the population in North Kensington is that it is nomadic. This is apparently growing and it causes considerable difficulty in keeping the patients and their family contacts under supervision.
    Years.Respiratory tuberculosis.Non-respiratory tuberculosis.Tuberculosis (all forms).
    Deaths.Deaths per 100,000 persons living.Deaths.Deaths per 100,000 persons living.Deaths.Deaths per 100,000 persons living.
  • Page 64
    Deaths from Tuberculosis in 1937 Allocated to District of Usual Residence of Patients.
    Respiratory tuberculosis.Non-respiratory tuberculosis.
  • Page 64
    The places where the deaths from tuberculosis occurred are set forth in the following list:—
    Respiratory tuberculosis.Non-respiratory tuberculosis.
  • Page 65
    An analysis of the register of the patients under dispensary supervision is shown in the following table:—
    Condition at the time of the last record made during the year to which the return relatesRespiratoryNon-respiratory
    Previous to 19371937Previous to 19371937
    Class T.B. minusClass T.B. plusClass T.B. minusClass T.B. plusBones and jointsAbdominalOther organsPeripheral glandsTotalBones and jointsAbdominalOther organsPeripheral glandsTotal
    Group 1Group 2Group 3Total (Class T.B. plus)Group 1Group 2Group 3Total (Class T.B. plus)
  • Page 66
    The following table shows the new cases sent up to the dispensary during the year, classified according to their ultimate diagnosis:—
    Adults.Children under 15 yrs.Total.
    Males.Females.Males.Females.
  • Page 68
    Home Nursing. The cases of tuberculosis attended and the visits paid by the nurses of the Kensington district nursing association during the past five years are shown in the following table:—
    Year.Cases.Visits.
  • Page 69
    Response to Notification. Detailed particulars in regard to notification over a period of 10 years are given below:—
    Year.NUMBER OF NOTIFICATIONS BY—Total number of notifications.Total number of patients notified during the year who attended the rheumatism supervisory centre.
    Medical officers at rheumatism supervisory centre.Private practitioners.School medical officers.Hospitals and other institutions.
  • Page 71
    Total new and old cases attending the centre during the last five years.
    1932-331933-341934-351935-361936-37
  • Page 71
    During the year 1936-37, 48 sessions have been held at the Princess Louise hospital.
  • Page 71
    The total number of attendances of patients was :—
  • Page 71
    The new Kensington cases were recommended to attend the clinic from the following sources:—
  • Page 71
    The disposal of cases which attended the centre and which needed special treatment may be summarised as follows:—
  • Page 72
    The following table shows details of the day's meals :—
    Breakfast.Dinner.Tea.Supper
  • Page 72
    Favourite type of food.—The following table shows the favourite type of food:—
  • Page 73
    Likes and dislikes.—The following table shows details in regard to foods liked by boys and girls:—
    Boys.Girls.Total.
  • Page 73
    Sitgar.—All liked it except three two boys aged 9 and 11, and one girl aged 11.
  • Page 74
    TABLE 1. Vital statistics of whole district for 1937 and previous years.
    Year. 1Population estimated to middle of each year. 2Births.Total deaths registered in the district.Transferable deathsNet deaths belonging to the district
    Uncorrected number. 3Net.
    of non-residents registered in the district. 8of residents not registered in the district. 9Under 1 year of age.At all ages.
    Number. 4Rate.* 5Number. 6Rate.* 7Number. 10Rate per 1,000 net births. 11Number. 12Rate.* 13
  • Page 75
    TABLE II Causes of death at Different Periods of life in 1937.
    Causes of Death.Sex.All ages.Under 1 year.1 and under 2 years.2 and under 5 years.5 and under 16 years.15 and under 25 years.25 and under 35 years.35 and under 45 years.45 and under 55 years.55 and under 65 years.65 and under 75 years.76 and upwards
  • Page 76
    TABLE III. Infant Mortality during the Year 1937. Net Deaths from stated Causes, at Various Ages under One Year of Age.
    Cause or Death.Under 1 week.1-2 weeks.2-3 weeks.3-4 weeks.Total under 4 weeks.1-3 months.3-6 months.ft-9 months.0-12 months. -Total deaths under one year.
  • Page 77
    TABLE IV. Vaccination Officer's Return respecting the Vaccination of Children whose Births were Registered in 1936.
    DATE. 1936.Registration sub-districts comprised in vaccination officer's district.Number of births returned in birth list sheets.Number of these births duly entered in columns 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the vaccination register (birth list sheets), viz. :Number of these births which are not entered in the vaccination register, on account (as shown by report book) of
    Column i. successfully vaccinatedColumn ii.Column v. dead, unvaccinated.Postponement by medical certificate.Removal to other districts and notified to vaccination officers of the districts.Removal to places unknown, or which cannot be reached, and cases not having been found.Not accounted for.Total number of certificates of successful Vaccination received during the calendar year, 1937.
    Insusceptible of vaccinationCertificate of conscientious objection.
  • Page 78
    TABLE V. Particulars of the Staff of the Public Health Department at the end of 1937 (as required by Ministry of Health Circular 359).
    Year of Appointment.