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
Battersea 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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It will be noted that in the sub-districts the rate was higher
in South Battersea (68.3) than in North Battersea (62.2). In the
wards, Nine Elms showed the lowest rate (52.5) and St. John
Ward the highest (78.3).
The infant mortality rates in the County of London and in
England and Wales during 1935 were 57.9 and 57.0 respectively.
The number of infant deaths in each quarter of the year is
shown in the table on page 12.
There were 73 deaths of infants during the first four weeks of
life (or 53.3 per cent. of the total infant deaths) as compared with
53 deaths (or 40.2 per cent.) in 1934 and a percentage for the
quinquennium (1930-1934) of 43.9.
The deaths from developmental diseases were 81 as compared
with 57 in 1934.
Table showing Deaths of Infants under 1 day, under 1 week and under 4 weeks from 1930 to 1935.
| Year. | Under 24 hrs. | 1 to 7 days. | 1 to 4 weeks. | Total under 4 weeks. | Percentage deaths under 4 weeks of total infant deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 24 | 35 | 15 | 74 | 51.0 |
| 1931 | 28 | 18 | 22 | 68 | 47.9 |
| 1932 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 52 | 38.8 |
| 1933 | 21 | 11 | 13 | 45 | 40.2 |
| 1934 | 25 | 15 | 13 | 53 | 40.2 |
| Total 1930-34 | 114 | 99 | 79 | 292 | 43.9 |
| Mean do | 22.8 | 19.8 | 15.8 | 58.4 | — |
| 1935 | 38 | 26 | 9 | 73 | 53.3 |
The causes of the 137 infant deaths are shown in detail in the
appendix, pages 119-121.
Deaths of Illegitimate Infants.
The death-rate amongst illegitimate children during 1935 was
160.9 per 1,000 births, as compared with 134.8 in 1934, 69.3 in
1933, 81.4 in 1932, and 83.3 in 1931. The corresponding death-rate
of legitimate children in 1935 was 61.0, the ratio of the mortality
rate of illegitimate infants to that of legitimate being 2 .6 to 1.
Still-births.
The registration of still-births became compulsory under the
provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1926.