London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report tables

Kensington 1938

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

Published
1939
Pages
94
Tables
119

This page requires JavaScript

119 tables in this report

  • Page 2
    SUMMARY OF STATISTICS for the Year 1938-
  • Page 3
    From this latter figure, the inhabitants in the different wards of the borough have been estimated to be as shown in the following table :—
  • Page 3
    Births- The number of births registered was 2,236, after correction for inward and outward transfers and the birth rate for the borough was 12-8 per 1,000 population- Distributed according to se and legitimacy the births were as follows :—
    Male.Female.Total.
  • Page 4
    Table showing the number of births and the birth rates in England and Wales, London, Kensington, and the various wards in the borough in 1938, and the rates for the previous five years:—
    District.1938.Birth rates in previous years-
    No. of births.Birth rate.19371936193519341933
  • 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
    he 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 5
    Percentage of births in Kensington notified during the past five years :—
    Year.Percentage.
  • Page 5
    The following table shows the number of deaths and the death rates in England J or1 Wales, London, Kensington and the various wards in the borough in 1938, and the rat's for the previous five years :—
    District.1938Death rates in previous years.
    No. of deaths.Death rate.19371936193519341933
  • Page 5
    following table shows the Kensington death rates since 1896 :—
    Period.Death rate per 1,000 living.
  • 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
    Cancer- —Cancer caused 314 deaths, and of this number 298 occurred in persons over the age of 45 years a Carcinoma was the form of cancer to which 284 deaths were attributed ; sarcoma and epithelioma were the assigned causes of 8 deaths ; 22 deaths were certified as due to cancer or malignant disease without further definition- The parts of the body which were affected in each case are shown in the following table :—Deaths from Cancer, 1938-
    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 1938 from certain diseases of public health importance arranged in four-weekly periods-
    Four weeks endingTyphoid 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 1938, and the infant death rates for the previous four years :—
    District.1938.Infant mortality rates in previous four years
    No. of births.No. of deaths of children under year of age.Infant mortality rate.1937193619351934
  • Page 8
    Infant Mortality Rates, 1896—1938.
    Period.England and Wales.London.Kensington.
  • Page 8
    The number of deaths of Kensington infants occurring in each month during 1938.
  • Page 8
    Causes of, and ages at, deaths of infants under one year of age in Kensington during 1938.
    Causes of death.Under 1 week1—2 weeks2—3 weeks3—4 weeksTotal 4 weeks1—3 months3—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 13
    Bacteriological Work. The council's bacteriological work is carried out at the laboratory at the Princess Louise hospital. The bacteriologist is Dr. Bessie Cadness; who is a part-time officer of the council. She also gives service to the Princess Louise hospital and to another London hospital. The work performed during 1938 was as follows :—
    Disease suspected.Examinations.Positive.
  • Page 13
    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, 1938:—
    Cases.Visits.
  • Page 14
    The work performed at the hospital during 1938 was as follows :—
    In-patients.
  • Page 14
    The beds are allocated as follows :—
  • Page 14
    (a) In-patients.
  • Page 14
    (b) Out-patients.
  • Page 14
    Rheumatism Supervisory Centre.
    The record of work carried out at the centre during 1938 is as follows:—
  • Page 15
    Total attendances of patients—
  • Page 15
    School Treatment Centres. 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 1938 was as follows:—
    New cases.Total attendances.
  • Page 15
    A school treatment centre has also been conducted at the baby clinic premises in Tavistock Road, and the record of work for 1938 is as follows :—
    New cases.Total attendances.
  • Page 15
    In addition there is a school treatment centre at the Princess Louise Kensington hospital for Children, and the particulars of the cases treated there during 1938 are as follows:—
    Cases.
  • Page 15
    School Medical Service. Sir Frederick Menzies, the county medical officer, has kindly made it possible for me to give the following particulars of the routine medical examination of elementary school children carried out in 1938 in Kensington. Table showing number examined and defects found-
    Number examinedBoys.Girls.
    Entrants-697Age 7-611Age 11- 579Age 14- 557Entrants-697Age 7- 595Age 11- 586Age 14- 610
    Cases.Cases.Cases.Cases.Cases.Cases.Cases.Cases.
  • Page 16
    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
    Vaccination- There were 2,302 births in 1937 reported to the vaccination officer by the Kensington registrars- By the 31st December, 1938, 58.17 per cent. of these had been vaccinated or were insusceptible to vaccination- The other 41.83 per cent, are accounted for as follows:—
  • Page 17
    Subscriptions by the Borough Council to Voluntary Health Organisations during 1938. Subscriptions to Hospitals, etc.
    £s.d.£s.d.
  • Page 19
    The work performed by the health-visiting staff during 1938 in regard to maternity and child welfare is summarised in the following table :—
    Description of work.Health Officers.
    No. 1No. 2No. 3No. 4No. 5No. 6No. 7No. 8No. 9No. 10No. 11Totals.
  • Page 20
    The work done at these institutions during 1938 is shown in the following table
    Particulars of work done.Bramley Road.Campden Hill.Dalgarno. (municipal).Golborne.Kenley Street. (municipal).Lancaster Road. (municipal)Raymede. (municipal).South Ken-sington.Totals.
  • Page 21
    table showing the dental treatment performed at the centres in 1938.
    Centre.Patients.AttendancesExtrac-tions.Fillings.Dentures.Other treatments.
  • Page 22
    Statement of work done during last five years.
    19341935193619371938
  • Page 23
    The following are the records for 1938 :—
  • Page 23
    Infant and Toddlers' Treatment Clinic. In April, 1937, the borough council opened a treatment clinic for infants and toddlers on the premises of the school treatment centre in Kenley Street. The sessions are conducted weekly and the physician-in-charge is Dr. W. A. Hislop. The sessions are well attended and are proving of great assistance to the council's medical officers conducting the infant consultation sessions at the Bramley Road and Kenley Street infant welfare centres. The following is a record of the work carried out during 1938 :—
  • Page 23
    following is the record for 1938 :—
  • Page 24
    Massage and Electrical Treatment. The Princess Louise Kensington Hospital for Children. The following is a record of the work conducted thereat during 1938 :—
    New cases—
  • Page 24
    The Baby Clinic.
  • Page 25
    Day Nurseries. The following table shows a record of children's attendances at the day nurseries in 1938 :
    Gol-borne.Lan-caster Road.Notting Hill.St. Cle-ment's.Totals.
  • Page 25
    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.No. of 7-pint packets sold.Value of milk sold.
    £s.d.
  • Page 26
    Health Lecturer.
    Lectures given.Individual mothers attending.Attendances.Average attendance at lecture.
  • Page 28
    Sanitary Inspection The following table shows a summary of the inspections, etc., carried out by the district and housing inspectors during the year:—
    DESCRIPTION OF INSPECTIONS, Etc.ward.Housing Inspectors.Total
    St. Charles.Golborne.Norland.Pem-bridge.Holland.Earls Ct. & Queens Gt.Brompton & Redcliffc
    1234667
  • Page 28
    The following table shows the number of notices which have been issued in respect of nuisances, defects, etc., found during the year:—
    DESCRIPTION OF INSPECTIONS, Etc.ward.Housing Inspec-tors.Total
    St. Charles.Golborne.Norland.Pern-bridge.Holland.Earls Ct. & Queens Gt.Brompton & Redcliffc
    1234567
  • Page 29
    Summary of works completed under the supervision of the district and housing inspectors during the year :-
    DESCRIPTION OF INSPECTIONS, Etc.WARD.Housing Inspectors.Total.
    St. Charles.Golborne.Norland.Pem-bridge.Holland.Earls Ct. & Queens Gt.Brompton & Rodcliffe
    1234567
  • Page 30
    Summary of Legal Proceedings taken in 1938.
    Offence.No. of summonsesMagistrate's decision.
  • Page 31
    The total number of bathers using the swimming baths and slipper baths in the last five years is shewn in the following table :—
    Year.Bathers.
  • Page 31
    In the washhouses or laundry department there were 88 washtubs in use in 1938. The number of women using the washtubs in the last five years is as follows :—
    Year.Washers.
  • Page 31
    Mortuary and Chapel of Rest. During the year 143 bodies were deposited in the public mortuary in the following circumtances:-
  • Page 32
    Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
  • Page 33
    Cleansing of Verminous Persons.
    Scabies.Vermin.Impetigo.Other conditions.
    Persons.Cleans-ings.Persons.Cleans-ings.Persons.Cleans-ings.Persons.Cleans ings.
  • Page 35
    The bedding in connection with the above removals weighed 35 tons 11 cwt. 0 qr. 22 lb., and this was treated by steam at the council's disinfecting station. The articles treated by steam were as follows :—
  • Page 35
    The following table gives the bodies for whom removals were undertaken during the year:—
  • Page 36
    (A) Chemical Analysis.
    10th January, 1938.9th March, 1938.9th June, 1938.5th October, 1938.30th January, 1939.
  • Page 36
    (ii) Samples collected at premises of B.
    10th January, 1938.9th March, 1938.9th June, 1938.5th October, 1938.30th January, 1939.
  • Page 36
    (iii) Samples collected at premises of C.
    9th June, 1938.5th October, 1938.30th January, 1939.
  • Page 37
    (iv) Samples collected from premises of D.
    10 th January, 1938.9th March, 1938.9th June,1938.5th October, 1938. No. 1.5th October, 1938. No. 2.30th January,1939.
  • Page 37
    (B) Bacteriological Examination.
    Date.Organisms per ml. incubated on agar after 2 days at 37°C.Organisms per ml. incubated in gelatine after 3 days at 20°C.
  • Page 38
    Register.
    Trade or Business.Factories in which power is used.Factories in which power is not used.Total.
  • Page 39
    Continued from previous page...
    Trade or Business.Factories in which power is used.Factories in which power is not used.Total.
  • Page 39
    The nature of the work given out to the 159 home workers on the register is as follows :—
  • Page 40
    Home Office Tables-
    Premises.Number of
    Inspections.Written Notices.Occupiers prosecuted.
    (1)(2)(3)(4)
  • Page 40
    2.—Delects Found.
    Particulars.Number of Defects.Number of defects in respect of which Prosecutions were instituted.
    Found.Remedied.Referred to H.M. Inspector.
    (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
  • Page 40
    3.—Outwork in Unwholesome Premises.
    Nature of Work.Instances.Notices served.Prosecutions
    (1)(2)(3)(4)
  • Page 41
    The following table gives particulars of the five further clearance areas which have been recently represented but in which the premises have not been demolished :—
    Name of area.Ward.Date of representation.No. of houses in area.No. of persons in occupation.
  • Page 43
    The following table shows the action taken during 1938 in respect of unfit parts of houses (underground rooms) :—
  • Page 43
    During the year, applications were received for permission to use 104 closed rooms or parts houses, and the following table gives a summary of the purposes approved by the council :—
  • Page 44
    The following table gives a summary of the action taken and the results obtained during the 12 months ended 31st December. 1938 :—
    Outside improvement areas.Inside improvement areas.Total.
  • Page 45
    Table I.
    Where a house consists of :—
  • Page 45
    Table II.
    Where the floor area of a room is :—
  • Page 45
    The overcrowding survey of 1935 revealed in the borough 2,529 overcrowded families. Particulars of the number of overcrowded families rehoused since the survey are as follows :—
    1936.1937.1938.
    Families.Persons.Families.Persons.Families.Persons.
  • Page 47
    The following table shows the licensed common lodging houses and the accommodation available on the 31st December, 1938 :—
    Ward.Premises.No. of lodgers.
  • Page 48
    Accommodation provided in the Borough by Housing Associations.
    Association.Houses.Flats.
  • Page 48
    Housing Statistics.
  • Page 49
    Continued from previous page...
  • Page 49
    Average composition of milk samples taken.
    Month.Number of 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 50
    Classification of genuine milk samples according to quality.
    Period.Good quality.Fair quality.Poor quality.Total.
  • Page 50
    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 1938, 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 52
    During the year 21 samples of Tuberculin Tested milk and 108 of Pasteurised milk were taken for the purpose of ascertaining whether they complied with the bacteriological standards laid down in the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1936, which are as follows:—
    Grade.Maximum no. of bacteria permitted per ml.Standard for bacillus coli.
  • Page 52
    The results of the examinations are shown in the following tables:— Tuberculin Tested Milk.
    Samples collected onMethylene blue test.Bacillus coli.
  • Page 52
    Pasteurised Milk.
    Samples collected onBacteria per ml.Samples collected onBacteria per ml.
  • Page 53
    Continued from previous page...
    Samples collected onBacteria per ml.Samples collected onBacteria per ml.
  • Page 54
    The following is a summary of the alterations made in the council's register of food premises during 1938:—
    On register Dec. 31, 1937.Added to register during 1938.On register Dec. 31, 1938.
  • Page 57
    Particulars of formal and informal samples collected are as follows:—
    Nature of sample.Formal.Informal.
    Number taken.Number adulterated.Number taken.Number adulterated.
  • Page 58
    The following is a summary of the results of analyses of the 29 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 59
    Table showing Notifications of certain Infectious Diseases received in 1934-38.
    Year.Small-pox.Scarlet fever.Diphtheria.Enteric fever.Erysipelas.Ophthalmia neonatorum.Puerperal fever.Puerperal pyrexia.Pneumonia.Malaria.Encepha-litis lethargica.P. m'itis & polioencephalitis.Acute rheumatism.spinal meningitis.Dysentery.Enteritis.Totals.
  • Page 60
    Table showing Cases of Infectious Diseases occurring during the year, arranged in Four-Weekly Periods (2nd January, 1938, to 31st December, 1938).
    Four Weeks endingSmall-pox.Scarlet fever.Diphtheria.Enteric fever.Ery sipelas.Ophthalmia neonatorum.Puerperal fever.Puerperal pyrexia.Pneumonia.Polio myelitis.Acute rheumatism.Cerebro spinal meningitis.Dysentery.Enteritis.Totals.
  • Page 60
    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 1938.
    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.Pembridge.Holland.Earl's Court.Queen's Gate.Redcliffe.Brompton.
    Under 1.1 to 2.2 to 3.3 to 4.4 to 5.5 to 10.10 to 15.15 to 20.20 to 35.35 to 45.45 to 65.65 and over.
  • Page 64
    The following table summarises the results:—
    Group.No.Positive Results.Negative Results.Spoilt or not taken.
    Swab & Plate.Swab or Plate.Swab & Plate.Swab or Plate.
  • Page 65
    Disinfection after Infectious Diseases, etc. SUMMARY OF WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE DISINFECTING STAFF DURING 1938.
    Nature of infection.Premises disinfected.Rooms disinfected.Disinfections at Wood Lane.No. of articles disinfected.
  • Page 66
    The following table shows the number of cases of tuberculosis in the various parts of the borough on the 31st December, 1938, and the number of cases notified for the first time during the year:—
    Cases in the borough on 31st December, 1938.New cases notified during 1938.
  • Page 67
    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 68
    The following table shows the source of the new notifications during the year:—
    Cases.
  • Page 68
    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 68
    The following table shows the number of deaths and the death rate from respiratory and non-respiratory tuberculosis in each of the past ten years:—
    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 69
    Deaths from Tuberculosis in 1938 Allocated to District of Usual Residence of Patients.
    Respiratory tuberculosis.Non-respiratory tuberculosis.
  • Page 69
    The places where the deaths from tuberculosis occurred are set forth in the following list:—
    Respiratory tuberculosis.Non-respiratory tuberculosis.
  • Page 70
    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 19381938Previous to 19381938
    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 71
    The following table shows the new cases sent to the dispensary during the year, classified according to their ultimate diagnosis:—
    Adults.Children under 15 yrs.Total.
    Males.Females.Males.Females.
  • Page 73
    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 74
    Response to Notification. Detailed particulars in regard to notification 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 75
    Total new and old cases attending the centre during the last six years.
    1932-331933-341934-351935-361936-371937-38
  • Page 75
    The total number of attendances of patients was:—
  • Page 76
    The number of notifications during the period was 49 (2 subsequently not verified):—
  • Page 76
    The disposal of cases which attended the centre and which needed special treatment may be summarised as follows:—
  • Page 77
    Cases admitted to hospital from Clinic, October, 1937—October, 1938. I. Chorea—Eight cases.
    Case Initials.Reason for Admission.Remarks.
  • Page 77
    II. Active Juvenile Rheumatism—Thirteen cases.
    Case Initials.Reason for Admission.Remarks.
  • Page 77
    III. Doubtful Juvenile Rheumatism—Three cases.
    Case Initials.Reason for Admission.Remarks.
  • Page 79
    The Nature ol the Cases. The following table shows the different types of rheumatic disease treated in the department up to the end of December, 1938. The largest proportion of cases, as would be expected, were those of fibrositis; this term includes many different conditions of which lumbago, sciatica and brachial neuritis are the most important. The number of cases of rheumatoid arthritis was rather unexpectedly high.
  • Page 80
    Special Forms of Treatment. In addition to massage and electricity, certain specialised forms of treatment are employed in the clinic itself ; these can only be carried out by members of the medical staff. The extent to which they were used is shown by the following table:—
  • Page 83
    APPENDIX III. TABLE I. Vital statistics of whole district for 1938 and previous years.
    Year.Population estimated to middle of each year.Births.Total deaths registered in the district.Transferable deathsNet deaths belonging to the district
    Uncorrected number.Net.of nonresidents registered in the district.of residents not registered in the district.Under 1 year of age.At all ages.
    Number.Rate.*Number.Rate.*Number.Rate per 1,000net births.Number.Rate.*
  • Page 83
    At Census of 1931.
  • Page 84
    TABLE II. Causes of Death at Different Periods of Life in 1938.
    Causes of Death.Sex.All ages.Under 1 year.1 and under 2 years.2 and under 5 years.5 and under 15 years.16 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 year.75 and upwards.
  • Page 85
    TABLE III. Infant Mortality during the Year 1938. Net Deaths from, stated Causes, at Various Ages under One Year of Age.
    Cause of Death.Under 1 week.1-2 weeks.2-3 weeks.3-4 weeks.Total under 4 weeks.1-3 months.3-6 months.6-9 months.9-12 months.Total deaths under one year.
  • Page 86
    TABLE IV. Vaccination Officer's Return respecting the Vaccination of Children whose Births were Registered in 1937.
    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
    DATE. 1937.Registration sub-districts comprised in vaccination officer's district.Number of births returned in birth-list sheets.Column 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, 1938.
    Column I. Successfully vaccinatedInsusceptible of vaccinationCertificate of conscientious objection.