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 1907
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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The causes of death in each year are given below, together with the relative proportion each group bears to the whole of the infant deaths:—
| 1905. | 1906. | 1907. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Per cent. of total deaths. | No. | Per cent. of total deaths. | No. | Per cent. of total deaths. | |
| Common infectious diseases | 37 | 11.2 | 12 | 3.7 | 17 | 5.5 |
| Diarrhœal diseases | 46 | 13.9 | 76 | 23.5 | 30 | 9.9 |
| Premature birth3 aud injury, &c., at birth | 84 | 25.5 | 72 | 22.5 | 96 | 31.6 |
| Did not thrive—wasting—want of milk—rickets | 49 | 14.8 | 50 | 15.4 | 43 | 14.0 |
| Tuberculous diseases | 17 | 5.1 | 18 | 5.5 | 15 | 4.9 |
| Erysipelas and other septic diseases | - | - | 10 | 3.0 | 9 | 2.9 |
| Syphilis | 15 | 4.5 | 7 | 2.1 | 12 | 3.9 |
| Meningitis, convulsions | 11 | 3.3 | 13 | 4.0 | 11 | 3.6 |
| Bronchitis and pneumonia | 45 | 13.6 | 44 | 13.6 | 56 | 18.4 |
| Suffocation—overlying, &c. | 5 | 1.5 | 6 | 1.8 | 6 | 1.9 |
| Other causes | 20 | 6.0 | 15 | 4.6 | 4 | 1.3 |
| 329 | 100 | 323 | 100 | 303 | 100 | |
Among the 303 deaths of infants under one year of age, a large
proportion is included under the headings of Prematurity, Debility at
Birth, and Injury at Birth. It is alleged that deaths from these causes
are increasing in the country generally (partly, perhaps, on account of
greater care in registering). Enquiry shows that it is net infrequently
those premature or weakly children who succumb later in life to various
diseases. Analysis of the information obtained relative to these
deaths brings out the fact that the chief causes of these infants
being born in this condition are syphilis, alcoholism, kidney disease,
heart disease, accidents, consumption, and emotional disturbances.
In some instances the work in which the mother has been engaged
has contributed towards the result (under this head instances are
recorded where the carrying of heavy weights, such as pails of water
from the ground floor to the top of the house, has been injurious).
It would appear that when there are twins there is a great liability to
death of one or both. Probably at least nine more deaths at, or soon
after, birth than those recorded under the heading syphilis may be
ascribed to that complaint.
After the first month the question of feeding becomes a more
prominent factor, although it is evident that in many instances in
which the child does not thrive it is due to the debilitated or diseased
condition when born. Such children under very careful dieting from
the first may grow up strong, but frequently they are unable to digest
anything.