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
City of Westminster 1903
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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Illegitimate infants die at much higher rate than do others, thus of
3,035 legitimate children born 370 (11.3 per cent.) died, of 150
illegitimate 25 (16.6 per cent.) died; in 1902 the rates were 12.5
and 17.2 per cent. respectively.
| 1901. | 1902. | 1903. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years of age | 52.1 | 51.7 | 44.7 |
| 5 and under 15 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 2.1 |
| 15 ami under 25 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 2.2 |
| 25 and under 35 | 6.4. | 5.1 | 4.3 |
| 35 and under45 | 15.1 | 12.0 | 9.3 |
| 45 and under 55 | 24.7 | 21.2 | 16.7 |
| 55 and under 65 | 42.8 | 38.0 | 28.8 |
| 65 and upwards | 106. | 109.0 | 98.8 |
It is evident that the rates in 1903 were lower at each period of life
than in the two preceding years.
Deaths in persons over 65 years of age.—680 persons over this age
died during 1903, against 762 in 1902; 345 were between the ages of
65 and 75, 269 between 75 and 85, and 66 over that age.
Causes of death.—These are set forth in Table IX, and also their
distribution in a summarised form, in the various wards of the City.
In Table X the rates per 1,000 population have been calculated out.
In the City there is a reduction in the rate in each group with the
exception of measles, whooping cough, alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver,
and deaths due to accidents, neglect, and suicide, in all of which the
rate was about the same as in 1902. The reduction is specially marked
in connection with influenza and diseases of the respiratory system,
being 1.5 per 1,000 inhabitants.