London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of Westminster 1924

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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12
female deaths in Victoria and St. John's Wards. The deaths correspond
more nearly with those of 1922.
Infantile Mortality.—The corrected death-rate of infants for Westminster
was 59.0 deaths per 1,000 births. The mortality of legitimate
infants was 55 per 1,000; in the Pimlico area this rate was 56.5; in the
St. John's and St. Margaret's area it was 56.4; and in the Northern
area 49.3.
The averages for legitimate infant deaths during the preceding three
years, 1921-22-23, were: Pimlico, 54.2; St. Margaret and St. John,
54.8; Northern, 49.7; and for the whole City, 53.3.
It is interesting to compare the figures for the same areas in the years
1901-2-3 before systematic work was begun for Infant Welfare with the
corresponding years 1921-22-23.

Average death-rates of children under one year of age:—

1901-2-3.1921-22-23.
Pimlico area131.057.3
Greek Street113.053.3
Rochester Row135.557.8

Fluctuations occur in individual years, but when the figures are grouped
in five-yearly periods a steady improvement is shown, until the present
low rate is obtained. With the greater attention now being given to
ante-natal work and improved conditions of child birth, it is possible
the rates may be still further reduced.
Of the 96 deaths, 58 occurred in the first half of the year. An
epidemic of measles prevailed during this period. Fortunately there was
an absence of diarrhoea in the third quarter, otherwise the rate would
have been higher. Respiratory complaints caused a heavier mortality
chiefly in the last quarter of the year. The deaths in the four quarters
occurred as follows:—
1924.
Pimlico.
St. Margaret
and
St. John.
North.
Unknown.
Total
1924.
Total.
1923.
Total
1922.
1st Quarter 17 12 2 0 31 24 £1
2nd 15 3 8 1 27 20 20
3rd „ 8 4 2 2 16 18 16
4th „ 9 6 7 0 22 21 17
49 25 19 3 96 83 104