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 1917

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Metropolitan Borough of]

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3 [1017
INFANT MORTALITY.
505 deaths occurred amongst infants under 12 months old, or 279 below
the decennial average of 844. These deaths represented an infant mortality
rate of 97 per 1,000 infants born, which is 7 per 1,000 below the mean annual
record of the preceding 10 years. This is satisfactory as compared with past
returns, but a great deal has yet to be done to lower a rate which in the
opinion of many authorities should not be more than 40 per 1,000. It is
hoped that the efforts of the agencies now in force and the passing of an Act
of Parliament giving power to local authorities to establish Maternity Centres
and similar institutions for the prevention of infant mortality, and to give
pecuniary support to similar voluntary institutions, will in the course of a fewyears
effect the reduction which is so much to be desired.

Table: Infantile Mortality during each of the Ten Years 1903-17.Deaths at various Ages under One Year oj Age.

Infantile Mortality during each of the Ten Years 1903-17.

Deaths at various Ages under One Year oj Age.

Years.Under 1 week.Weeks.Total under 4 weeks.Months.Total Deaths under 1 year.
1-22-33-44 weeks and under 3 months.3-66-99-12
1908186523339310180151126127894
1909156522635269147148144133841
1910163454129278131144106118777
19111705234372932072011711681040
19121904125242801331218195710
1913195494729320187178111102898
1914179403933291159181118100849
1915155493531270142152125116805
19161293227212091281169289634
191793382371611061089991565
Totals1616450330285268115201500117311398013

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The mortality in the registration sub-districts ranged from 66 per 1,000
births in Upper Holloway to 121 in Lower Holloway.