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
Paddington 1904
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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10 notifitations.
The cases have been distributed in Table 11, according to sex and age of patients, to
which are appended the sex rates (all ages) for each disease during the past 4 years. Last
year's rates were generally the lowest of the series, the exceptions being—
1904. Lowest Rate.
Diphtheria, Females 0.96 0.86 (1903)
Erysipelas, Males 0.85 0.70 (1903)
Scarlet Fever, Females 2.29 2.17 (1902)
Enteric Fever 0.33 0.27 (1903)
Puerperal Fever O.11 0.03 (1903)
The Chart facing this shows the numbers of cases of diphtheria (including membranous
croup), scarlet and enteric (including continued fever) fevers, reported in each week during
the year, the broken line giving the uncorrected decennial number for each week.
DEATHS.
The deaths registered within the Borough during the year numbered 2,228 (viz., 1,120
of males and 1,108 of females), giving a gross death-rate of 15.17 per 1,000 of the estimated
population (persons of all ages). In 1903 the total number of deaths was 2,103, and the
death-rate 14.41. The numbers and rates for the other years since 1894 will be found in
Table L, Appendix. Last year's gross rate was l.01 below the decennial mean rate.
The ages at death are sufficiently indicated in the appended statement, in which the numbers for 1903 are given in parentheses:—
| Ages, Years. | No. of deaths. Persons. | Ages, Y ears. | No. of deaths. Persons. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0— | 490 (425) | 15— | 86 ( 79) |
| 1— | 189 (220) | 25— | 839 (794) |
| 5— | 78 ( 77) | 65— | 546 (508) |
The principal causes of death were—
| Infectious Diseases. | Other Diseases and Causes. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Measles | 38 (41) | Croup | 1 (0) |
| Scarlet Fever | Cancer | 176 (179) | |
| Whooping Cough | 15 (55) | Bronchitis | 192 (160) |
| Diphtheria and Membranous | "Pneumonia" | 133 (161) | |
| Croup | 9 (6) | Other Respiratory Diseases | 17 (25) |
| "Fever" | 13 (9) | Alcoholism | 19 (28) |
| Epidemic Influenza | 46 (26) | Cirrhosis of Liver | 27 (23) |
| Diarrhoeal Diseases | 153 (79) | Premature Birth ... | 60 (54) |
| Puerperal Fever | 8 (3) | Accidents and Diseases of | |
| Other Septic Diseases | 12 (26) | Parturition | 9 9) |
| Phthisis | 159 (159) | Accidents | 105 (94) |
| Other Tubercular Diseases | 81 (74) | Suicide | |
Of the deaths, 780 (35.0 per cent.) occurred in the local Public Institutions, viz.:—
Workhouse 66 (57), Infirmary 261 (260), Lock Hospital 1 (2), Children's Hospital 92 (82)r
and St. Mary's Hospital 360 (342). (See also Tables III. and IIIa. in the Appendix).
Among the deaths registered within the Borough were 387 of non-residents which have
been allocated to the respective districts whence the deceased persons came. On the other
hand 173 deaths of residents have been reported from outlying districts, of which 154
(89.0 per cent.) occurred in Public Institutions. (See Table III.A Appendix). By deducting
the former and adding the latter, the "corrected" total (2,014) * is obtained, giving a "nett '
* Unless otherwise stated, all numbers given hereafter have been similarly "corrected."