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 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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10
Bi rths
The 1961 Report stated that the birthrate 23.8 per 1,000 population was for the
first time greater than that in 1947, the peak year of the post war "bulge at 23.55
As anticipated in last year's Report, the increase continued and in 1962, there was a
new high birthrate peak at 25.4 per 1,000 population.
The high illegitimate birthrate of 1961 of 13.6 per cent. was exceeded in 1962
when 15.7 per cent. of all births were classified as illegitimate. In this connection,
it was mentioned that it would repay further study of the population groups
contributing to this high illegitimacy rate and its socio-medico significance. The
desirability of such a study is emphasised further by the record proportion of
illegitimate infants born being not far short of one-sixth of all live births
Children under 15 years of age
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 | 59,800 | 188,400 | 248,200 | 377,300 | 625,500 |
| Islington | 5,530 | 15,670 | 21,200 | 27,200 | 48,400 |
Deaths
The total death rate was fractionally lower than in 1961 in falling from 11.1 to 11.0. Deaths from the respiratory causes of influenza pneumonia and bronchitis were also somewhat lower and 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 | 10 | 14 | 28 | 53 | 108 |
| February | - | 2 | 8 | 15 | 40 | 65 |
| March | 5 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 26 | 50 |
| April | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 24 | 38 |
| May | - | 1 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 23 |
| June | - | 1 | - | 10 | 4 | 15 |
| July | - | - | 4 | 1 | 9 | 14 |
| August | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 18 |
| Septemlar | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 12 |
| October | - | - | 2 | 4 | 16 | 22 |
| November | 1 | - | 5 | 9 | 15 | 30 |
| December | 5 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 37 | 74 |
It will be seen from the table that deaths due to diseases of the respiratory
system as mentioned above are at their maximum during the four winter months December
to March inclusive, and more particularly, December and January This is a regular
winter occurrence, and it will also be noted that it is the elderly, that is, those
over 75 years of age, who suddenly become exposed to a major increase in risk with the
temperature fall and other adverse weather conditions from December onwards. The