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
Islington 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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The following table (extracted from the Registrar General' s Returns) gives the estimated number of children under the age of 15 years in the County of London and in Islington.
| Under 1 year | 1 - 4 | Total under 5 | 5-14 | Total under 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Admin. County | 57,600 | 190,200 | 247,800 | 395,800 | 643,600 |
| Islington | 5,280 | 15,720 | 21,000 | 28,400 | 49,400 |
Deaths
The following table is reproduced for the current year showing the seasonal influences affecting deaths due to respiratory causes.
| Under 1 year | 1-54 | 55 - 64 | 65 - 74 | 75 + | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 5 | 9 | 22 | 30 | 69 |
| February | 1 | 4 | 14 | 26 | 62 | 107 |
| March | 2 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 31 | 59 |
| April | - | - | 4 | 6 | 13 | 23 |
| May | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 32 |
| June | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 32 |
| July | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| August | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 15 |
| September | - | 2 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 22 |
| October | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 27 |
| November | - | 1 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 35 |
| December | 2 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 35 | 67 |
Deaths of infants under one year
The infant mortality rate, at 21 per thousand live births, is the same as last year
38 per cent, of all infant deaths occurred within the first 24 hours following birth and
67 per cent, within seven days of birth. Prom one to twelve months the greatest risk to
infants is due to respiratory disease, particularly pneumonia Of a total of 32'deaths in
this age group, 13 were due to pneumonia.
Maternal Mortality
The extremely low maternal mortality reported last year was, unfortunately, not
maintained in 1961, when there were 7 maternal deaths. The particulars of these deaths are
as under, and it will be noted that five of them were consequent upon abortion: -
Age Cause of death
32 Pyaemia and general peritonitis and pyometrium in consequence of
recent abortion. Not fully or further disclosed (Open Verdict),
41 Renal failure due to infected abortion due to self-instrumentation of
uterus. Self-induced miscarriage
21 Infected abortion Not fully or further disclosed.