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
Finsbury 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]
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10
SECTION A.
Vital Statistics.
Area.
The area of the Borough is 587 acres.
Population.
The Registrar General's estimate of resident civilian population
was 35,640. In 1938 the estimated population was 56,960.
Live-Births.
The total number of live births belonging to the Borough
occurring during 1948 was 674 including 50 illegitimate births,
and consisting of 346 males and 328 females, giving a birth rate of
18.9 per 1,000 population. The total number of births during 1947
was 779. The birth rate for England and Wales was 17.9 and for
the London Administrative County 20.1, per 1,000 civilian population.
Still-Births.
The total number of still-births allocated to the Borough during
the year was 16. This figure represents 2.4 per cent, of the total
births, and .45 per 1,000 civilian population, compared with .39
for London Administrative County and .42 for England and Wales.
Deaths.
The total number of deaths belonging to the Borough registered
during 1948 was 423 consisting of 239 males and 184 females, giving
a death rate per 1,000 population of 11.9. The total number of
deaths for 1947 was 522. The comparable death rates in London
and England and Wales during 1948 were 11.6 and 10.8 respectively.
Comparative Statistics, 1941-1948.
| 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,280 | 28,420 | 27,830 | 26,740 | 27,990 | 33,400 | 35,120 | 35,640 |
| Birth rate per 1,000 population) | 14.8 | 15.9 | 16.7 | 16.0 | 16.9 | 20.6 | 22.2 | 18.9 |
| Death rate (do.) | 24.7 | 17.9 | 17.5 | 19.9 | 17.1 | 15.6 | 14.9 | 11.9 |
| Maternal mortality (per 1,000 live births) | 2.8 | 4.4 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| Death rate, infants under 1 (do.) | 70.4 | 64.0 | 56.0 | 47.0 | 55.0 | 54.0 | 32.0 | 32.6 |
| Death rate of illegitimate infants under 1 (per 1,000 illegitimate live births) | 125.0 | 76.9 | 83.3 | 128.0 | 53.6 | 118.0 | 47.6 | 60.0 |
| Still-births (percentage of total births) | 4.0% | 4.04% | 2.92% | 2.51% | 2.7% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 2.3% |
| T.B. death rate per 1,000 inhabitants (all forms) | 1.65 | 1.72 | 1.33 | 1.46 | 1.07 | 0.96 | 1.25 | 0.72 |
| Illegitimate births | 33 | 39 | 24 | 47 | 56 | 68 | 42 | 50 |