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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

Greenwich 1955

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

Published
1956
Pages
142
Tables
84

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84 tables in this report

  • Page 14
    LIVE BIRTHS
    LegitimateIllegitimateTotal
  • Page 14
    STILL BIRTHS
    LegitimateIllegitimateTotal
  • Page 14
    DEATHS—All Causes
    MaleFemaleTotalDeath Kate (Crude)9.29
  • Page 15
    The following table shows these particulars giving the number of marriages in the Borough for each year since 1938:—
    YearChurches of EnglandChapels and Roman Catholic ChurchesSuperintendentRegistrar's OfficeTotalApproximate Population
    GreenwichCharlton and KidbrookeSt. Nicholas
  • Page 18
    The following table gives by districts the number of registrations of Greenwich Births during the current year:—
    Source of InformationDISTRICTTotal Greenwich Births
    EastWestSt. NicholasCharlton & Kidbrooke
  • Page -
    The number of Still Births registered was 28 (12 males - 16 females), which is equivalent to a rate of 20.91 per 1,000 total births, an increase of 2.77 over that of 1954.
    No. in Short List.Causes or DeathSexDeaths at subjoined Ages of " Residents," whether occurring within or without the District.
    All Ages.Under 1.1 and under 5.5 and under 15.15 and under 25.25 and under 45.45 and under 65.65 and under 75.75 and over.
    All CausesM F459 37013 84 55 34 123 21144 65121 100145 167
    Tuberculosis, RespiratoryM5............131...
    F2............2.........
    M1...............1......
    .....................
    3Syphilitic Disease ...r M1..................1...
    F...........................
    4Diphtheria ...M...........................
    F...........................
    5Whooping Cough ...M.........:::...............
    F...........................
    6Meningococcal InfectionsM3......... ..................
    F........................
    7Acute PoliomyelitisM2.........1............
    c...........................
    8MeaslesM1........................
    F1........................
    9Other Infective and ParasiticM...........................
    DiseasesF2...............2......
    10Malignant Neoplasm, Stomach ...M16...............835
    F10............1216
    11Malignant Neoplasm, Lung,M29............21656
    BronchusF6............1311
    12Malignant Neoplasm, BreastM...........................
    F16............2563
    13Malignant Neoplasm, UterusF6............1131
    14Othei Malignant and LymphaticM46.........16141213
    NeoplasmsF40............1101710
    16Leukaemia, Aleukaemia ...M1.....................1
    F3..................11
    16DiabetesM1........................
    F5...............122
    17Vascular Lesions of NervousM32............171212
    SystemF52.........l181428
    18Coronary Disease, AnginaM77............2352020
    F37...............81217
    19Hypertension with Heart DiseaseM8...............332
    F14..................59
    20Other Heart DiseaseM57............241437
    F59............351338
    21Other Circulatory DiseaseM26............17711
    F23...............4613
    22Influenza ... ... ...M1...............1......
    23PneumoniaF M27.........11878
    F17...............2411
    24Bronohitis ...M44............1121713
    F15............I149
    25Other Diseases of Respiratory ...M7...............331
    System ...F...........................
    20Ulcer of Stomach and DuodenumM5...............212
    F3...............1...2
    27Gastritis, Enteritis and DiarrhoeaM4...............121
    F4............I21...
    28Nephritis and NephrosisM4............I1...2
    F2............I1......
    29Hyperplasia of Prostate ...M10...............3?
    30Pregnancy, Childbirth, abortionF........................
    31Congenital MalformationsM21............1......
    F52...1...i1...
    32Other defined and ill-definedM368...2...31184
    Diseases ...F366.........37712
    33Motor Vehicle Accidents ...M5......1l111
    F3111
    34All other AccidentsM3...1I......1
    F6...1............23
    35SuicideM5...............41
    F3............21...
    36Homicide and Operations of WarM........................
    F...........................
  • Page 20
    DEATHS IN INSTITUTIONS. The following table compares the average number of deaths of Greenwich residents in Public Institutions during the previous ten years with those of the current year:—
    Deaths of Greenwich Residents
    YearTotalIn Public Institutions
    No.% of Total Deaths
  • Page 20
    AGE MORTALITY. The age mortality and the distribution of the deaths between the different quarters of the year are shown by the following table:—
    Deaths1st Quarter2nd Quarter3rd Quarter4th QuarterTotal
  • Page 21
    Deaths in the age group 0-5 years show an even more striking comparison : in 1901 the deaths in this group amounted to 37.4% whilst the figure for the current year is 3.6%.
    Age Group190119111921193119511955
  • Page 22
    The following table shows the comparative Infantile Mortality Rate for the quinquennial periods since 1931, together with the Rate for 1955 :—
    DistrictAverage for five years 1931-1935Average for five years 1936-1940Average for five years 1941-1945Average for live years 1946-1950Year 1955
  • Page 26
    Comparing the current year's figures with those of the previous 5 years, the sites of the affected parts were :—
    195019511952195319541955
  • Page 26
    DEATHS FROM CANCER OF LUNG (including Bronchogenic Carcinoma)
    YearAGE GROUPSTotalsGrand TotalsRate per 1,000 Pop.
    25 and under 45 yrs.45 and under 65 yrs.65 and under 75 yrs.75 and upwards
    MFMFMFMFMF
  • Page 30
    NATIONAL WELFARE FOOD ITEMS Distribution Centres
    M. & C. W. Centres.
  • Page 31
    Health Visitors' Records, Attendances at Infant Welfare Sessions, Prophylaxis figures, etc. 1. Health Visiting
    QuarterExpectant MothersPremature BabiesStill-BirthsInfants (under 1 year)Children 1—5 yearsInfectious DiseasesMiscellaneousUnsuccessfulTotal Visits
    1st visitRevisit1st visitRevisit1st visitRevisit1st visitRe-visit1st visitRevisit1st visitRevisit
  • Page 31
    2. Infant Welfare Clinics
    QuarterSessionsAttendances
    0-1 year1-2 years2-5 years
    1stTotal1stTotal1stTotal
  • Page 32
    3. Ante and Post Natal Clinics (a) Hospital Confinements
    QuarterSessionsAnte NatalPost Natal
    1st AttendancesTotal Attendances1st AttendancesTotal Attendances
    This YearCurrent PregnancyThis YearSince Confinement
  • Page 32
    (b) Domiciliary Confinements
  • Page 33
    4. Toddlers Clinics
    QuarterSessionsTotal AttendancesMedically ExaminedFound to require Treatment
  • Page 33
    5. Ante Natal Educational Sessions (including exercises)
    QuarterSessionsTotal Attendances
  • Page 33
    6. Artificial Sunlight and Children's Exercise Classes
    QuarterSessionsAttendances
    Artificial SunlightExercise Classes
    FirstTotalFirstTotal
  • Page 33
    7. Chiropody Treatment
    QuarterSessionsAttendances
    FirstTotal
  • Page 34
    8. Dental Treatment
    QuarterSessionsNursing & Expectant MothersChildren under 5 yrs.
    First Treatm'tsTotal Attends.First Treatm'tsTotal Attends.
  • Page 34
    9. Home Help Service (a) Analysis of Cases, etc.
    CasesHome Helps
    MaternityTuberculosisOthersTotalNo. Part TimeWhole Tim# Equivalent
  • Page 34
    12. School Health Service
    VisionNutritionSpecial Investigation Clinic
  • Page 35
    TREATMENT CENTRES AND CLINICS Particulars relating to the local Health Services throughout the Borough are given below :—
    INFANT WELFARE CLINICSDAYA.M.P.M.
  • Page 36
    ARTIFICIAL SUNLIGHT TREATMENT
    DAYA.M.P.M.
  • Page 36
    ANTE & POST NATAL CLINICS Note: (a) Doctor in attendance (b)Midwife in attendance
  • Page 36
    IMMUNISATION AND VACCINATION CLINICS
  • Page 37
    CHEST CLINICS (By appointment only).DAYA.M.P.M.
  • Page 37
    FOOT CLINICS (2/6 per treatment—by appointment only)
  • Page 37
    DENTAL CLINIC
  • Page 37
    SCABIES & CLEANSING CLINICS
  • Page 38
    SPEECH THERAPY (for School Children)
    DAYA.M.P.M.
  • Page 38
    WOMEN'S SPECIAL CLINIC (Family Planning Association)
  • Page 38
    MARRIAGE GUIDANCE CENTRE (Temporarily Suspended)
  • Page 38
    MINOR AILMENTS CENTRES (for School Children)
  • Page 38
    OPHTHALMIC CLINIC (for School Children)
  • Page 38
    NUTRITION & SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE CLINIC (for School Children)
  • Page 41
    FACTORIES ACTS 1937 & 1948 Inspections for purposes of provisions as to health.
    PremisesNumber on RegisterNumber of
    InspectionsWritten noticesOccupiers prosecuted
  • Page 41
    Cases in which defects were found.
    ParticularsNumber of cases in which defects were foundNumber of cases in which prosecutions were instituted
    FoundRemediedReferred
    To H.M. InspectorBy H.M. Inspector
  • Page 45
    TABLE I—Daily Mean Concentration of Smoke
    MonthTown HallCharlton House
    Smoke mg/m3Smoke mg/m3
    Daily ValueDaily Value
    AverageHighestLowestAverageHighestLowest
  • Page 45
    TABLE II—Daily Mean Concentration of Sulphur Dioxide
    MonthTown HallCharlton House
    Sulphur Dioxide p.p.m.Sulphur Dioxide p.p.m.
    Daily ValueDaily Value
    AverageHighestLowestAverageHighestLowest
  • Page 46
    TABLE III.—Rainfall, Monthly Deposit in Tons per Square Mile and Sulphur Dioxide by the Lead-Peroxide Method
    Month & YearRainfall mm.Insoluble DepositSoluble DepositTotal SolidsSO3mg./day/100 cm2 of Batch A Lead Peroxide
    tons per square mile
  • Page 46
    TABLE IV.—oncentration of Smoke and Sulphur Dioxide by the Volumetric Method.
    Month-YearSmoke mg/100m3Sulphur Dioxide p.p. 100 million
    Monthly AverageHighest Daily AverageMonthly AverageHighest Daily Average
  • Page 57
    The following report was submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for the 12 months ended 31st March, 1956 :—
    TYPE OF PROPERTY
    Non-Agricultural(5) Agricultural
    (1) Local Authority(2) Dwelling Houses (including Council Houses)(3) All other (includg. Business Premises)(4) Total of Cols. (1), (2) & (3)
  • Page 58
    Baiting of Sewers.—The Borough Engineer has kindly supplied me with the undermentioned information of the treatments carried out in the Council's sewers in connection with the scheme:—
    DetailsDate of Treatment
    28th Nov. to 21st Dec., 19556th June to 24th June, 1955
  • Page 60
    Attendances.—For the year ended 31st December, 1955:—
  • Page 61
    A Summary of Bacteriological Samples taken during the year, with the results of the examinations, is given in the following table, particulars of which were communicated to the Adoptive Acts Committee and the Baths Superintendent at the time of receipt of the Reports:—
    Sample No.Date & TimeNature & TemperatureNo. of BathersPlate Count per ml. Yeastral Agar 2 days 37°C.Probable No. of Coliform bacilli. MacConkey 2 days 37°C.Result
  • Page 62
    Particulars of Public Sanitary Conveniences in the Borough
    ConvenienceMENWOMENHOURS
    W.C.'sLavatory basinsUrinal stallsW.C.'sLavatory basins
  • Page 63
    Free hand-washing facilities, introduced in the interests of Public Health during 1951, were continued with marked success during the year and the following table gives an indication of the growing use made of these facilities :—
    ConvenienceMenWomenTotal
  • Page 64
    In this respect, great reliance is placed on the Lady Sanitary Inspector by the elderly of the Borough, and the following is a summary of her work during 1955:—
  • Page 65
    Continued from previous page...
  • Page 66
    During the current year, the staff at the Cleansing Station have dealt with the following articles:—
  • Page 68
    During the year, grants were made by the Council to the Greenwich Old People's Welfare Association for distribution, as under:—
  • Page 70
    Summary of Work Performed by the Sanitary Inspectors during
  • Page 71
    Continued from previous page...
  • Page 72
    Legal Proceedings
    PremisesOffenceResult of Proceedings
  • Page 73
    (a) New units of accommodation erected since 1945 up to:—(b) Marriages since 1945(c) Difference between (a) and (b)
  • Page 77
    It can be seen by the figures in the following table that there has been a definite decline since 1945 in the number of families found to be living in overcrowded conditions in the Borough:—
    YearNo. of cases of overcrowding reported
  • Page 77
    New Housing Accommodation.—The following table lists the new dwellings erected in the Borough during 1955:—
    Type of DwellingG.B.C.L.C.CPrivateTotal
  • Page 87
    Shops, Stalls, etc.— Meat-
  • Page 89
    The following foods were rejected at the wharves :—
  • Page 89
    LandedExaminedRejectedWeight
  • Page 91
    The following table is a statistical record of the major portion of the duties performed and inspections undertaken during the year by the Food Inspectors.
    Premises Inspected or Visits Made.No. of VisitsNo. of Premises at which Improvements were effected
  • Page 93
    Information concerning the analyses of these samples is given in the following table :—
    ArticleHow ObtainedExaminationAction Taken
    Bact. or Chem.Result
  • Page 94
    Continued from previous page...
    ArticleHow ObtainedExaminationAction Taken
    Bact. or Chem.Result
  • Page 95
    Continued from previous page...
    ArticleHow ObtainedExaminationAction Taken
    Bact. or Chem.Result
  • Page 98
    Number and Description of Samples Submitted for Analysis under the above Act during the year 1955
    ArticleNumber ExaminedNumber Adulterated, &c.
    FormalInformalTotalFormalInformalTotal
  • Page 99
    Continued from previous page...
    ArticleNumber ExaminedNumber Adulterated, &c.
    FormalInformalTotalFormalInformalTotal
  • Page 100
    Continued from previous page...
    ArticleNumber ExaminedNumber Adulterated, &c.
    FormalInformalTotalFormalInformalTotal
  • Page 101
    Administrative Action Taken in Respect to Samples Reported to be NOT GENUINE
    Sample No.ArticleNature of adulteration and/or irregularityAction taken
  • Page 109
    The following table gives the distribution :—
    DistrictPulmonaryNon-PulmonaryTotal
  • Page 109
    The number of notified cases of Tuberculosis remaining on the Register at 31st December, 1955, was as follows :—
    PULMONARYNON-PULMONARY
    MenWomenChildrenTotalMenWomenChildrenTotal
    MFMF
  • Page 110
    PUBLIC HEALTH (TUBERCULOSIS) REGULATIONS, 1952 Part I.—Summary of notifications of Tuberculosis during the period from the 1st January, 1955, to the 31st December, 1955.
    Age PeriodsFormal Notifications
    Number of Primary Notifications of new cases of tuberculosis
    0—1—2—5—10—15—20—25—35—45—55—65—75—Total (all ages)
  • Page 110
    Part II.—New cases of Tuberculosis coming to the knowledge of the Medical Officer of Health during the above-mentioned period, otherwise than by formal notification.
    Source or IntormationNumber of cases in age Groups
    0—1—2_5—10—15—20—25—35—45—55—65—75—Total
  • Page 111
    PART I.—General Analysis
    MenWomenTotal
  • Page 111
    PART II.—Analysis of Abnormal Large Films
    MenWomenTotal
    (a) No further action required-——
    (b) Occasional supervision only549
    (c) Requiring treatment11819
    (d) Still under investigation2—2
  • Page 112
    Continued from previous page...
    2.Non-Tuberculosis cases:
    (a) investigatedMenWomenTota
  • Page 112
    Treatment for all cases is carried out at the Tunnel Avenue Cleansing Station and the following Return summarises the work carried out during the year :—
    Attendances
    VerminScabies
  • Page 113
    Rooms and Articles Disinfected, Year ended 31st December, 1955
    Diseases, etc.Premises EnteredRoomsBedsMattressesBolstersPillowsSheetsBlanketsEiderdownsCushionsQuiltsOdd ArticlesWearing ApparelRugs and MatsCoversTotal No. of Articles Disinfected
  • Page 116
    Chest Clinic Statistics
    YearPopulation of BoroughNotificationsIncidence per 1,000 of populationDeaths
    Pulm. Tub.NonPulm. Tub.Pulm. Tub.NonPulm. Tub.TotalRate per 1,000
  • Page -
    INFANTILE MORTALITY DURING THE YEAR 1955 Deaths from stated Causes in Weeks and Months under 1 Year of Age.
    Cause of Death.Under 1 week.1—2 Weeks.2—3 Weeks.3—4 Weeks.Total under 1 Month.1—3 Months.3—6 Months.6—9 Months.9—12 Months.Total Deaths under One Year.
  • Page -
    CASES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE notified during the Year ended 31st December, 1955.
    Notifiable DiseaseCases Notified in Whole District Age & Sex GroupTotal Cases Notified in each LocalityNo. of Cases removed to Hos-pital from each LocalityTotal
    At all Ages0 to 11 to 33 to 55 to 1010 to 1515 to 25 _25 to 4545 to 6565 and overGreenwich EastGreenwich WestSt. NicholasCharlton and KidbrookeGreenwich EastGreenwich WestSt. NicholasCharlton and Kidbrooke
  • Page -
    CAUSES OF, AND AGES AT, DEATH, during the year ended 31st December, 1955.
    No. in Short ListCauses of Death.Deaths at Subjoined ages of " Residents " whether occurring within or without the DistrictDeaths at all Ages of "Residents" belonging to Localities, whether occurring in or beyond the DistrictDeaths of "Residents" In Public InstitutionsTotal Deaths whether of "Residents" or "NonResidents" in Public Institutions in the District
    All AgesUnder 11 and under 22 and under 55 and under 1515 and under 2525 and under 4545 and under 6565 and under 7575 and upwardsGreenwich EastGreenwich WestSt. Nicholas, DeptfordCharlton and KidbrookeSt. Alfeee's HospitalSeamen's HospitalMiller HospitalHerbert Military HospitalBrook HospitalOther InstitutionsOutside Institutions
    Under 4 mths.4 mths. and undter 1 yr.
    1Tuberculosis, Respiratory7..................331...12...43...1............33
    2Tuberculosis, Other..................................................................4
    3Syphilitic Disease1........................1...1............1...............5
    4Diphtheria.....................................................................
    5Whooping Cough.....................................................................
    6Meningococcal Infections31...11..................11...11.........1...12
    7Acute Poliomyelitis2..................1.........2.....................1...14
    8Measles2.........1.....................11.........1.........12
    9Other Infective and Parasitic Diseases1.....................1......1..............................2
    10Malignant Neoplasm, Stomach25..................110410951108...2...4...236
    11Malignant, Neoplasm, Lung, Bronchus35..................3196711811514...4...1...990
    12Malignant Neoplasm, Breast15...............156393...36...2.........525
    13Malignant Neoplasm, Uterus7..................114121...42.........1...17
    14Other Malignant and Lym-phatic Neoplasms84............21824262334172313136...1...19143
    15Leukaemia, Aleukaemia4.........1............1231......1...............39
    16Diabetes6............1......12222...23.........1...118
    17Vascular Lesions of Nervous System92...............1219274339154344425.........12169
    18Coronary Disease, Angina107..................3392738521443724110...1...12107
    19Hypertension with Heart Disease12.....................25563...3211.........113
    20Other Heart Disease128............1...59357847276486333...222180
    21Other Circulatory Disease59..................113162921124222822...1...6101
    22Influenza1.....................1......1.....................1......2
    23Pneumonia421...1......1...911192062142541...1...4114
    24Bronchitis561...............211192315151251232...11275
    25Other Diseases of Respiratory System12.....................74151...62...1...1...115
    26Ulcer of Stomach and Duodenum8.....................31431...45...1...1......30
    27Gastritis, Enteritis and Diarrhoea8..................133133...23...3.........212
    28Nephritis and Nephrosis6..................22114...114..................14
    29Hyperplasia of Prostate10........................375......5711.........114
    30Pregnancy, Childbirth, abor-tion..................................................................2
    31Congenital Malformations74...............12......3......41...............48
    32Other defined and ill-defined Diseases62121...12...71511131675341013...6...18127
    33Motor Vehicle Accidents7.........11111115......24...............220
    34All other Accidents10.........21......3225......56...............226
    35Suicide8..................142122...421...............11
    36Homicide and Operations of War.....................................................................
    Totals827192278 544207219314328147323203202349...2531121,420