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
Wandsworth 1883
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]
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| Social Position. | Total Deaths. | Deaths from Zymotic Diseases. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1883. | Decennial Average. | 1883. | Decennial Average. | |
| Nobility and Gentry | 3.81 | 3.57 | 1.30 | 0.12 |
| Professional Class, Merchants, Bankers, &c. | 6.21 | 5.29 | 51.9 | 5.36 |
| Middle and Trading Classes, Clerks, &c. | 24.45 | 18.88 | 27.27 | 17.81 |
| Industrial and Labouring Classes | 65.53 | 72.26 | 66.24 | 76. 71 |
| 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | |
The diminution in the rate of mortality which has been
noted in these reports as gradually taking place amongst the
industrial classes in comparison with the rate occurring
amongst the other classes collectively, was very considerable
during the past year. On reference to the above table it is
seen that of the total number of deaths 65 per cent. occurred
amongst the labouring classes, instead of 72 per cent. during
the preceding ten years; and that of the total deaths from
Zymotic diseases 66 per cent. occurred amongst them in the
place of 76 per cent. during the preceding decade. This
decrease in the mortality of the working classes is doubtless
in great measure attributable to the lesser prevalence during
the year of those Zymotic diseases which are always found to
afflict them with relatively greater severity, and is deserving
of especial notice as furnishing a trustworthy indication of
sanitary improvement effected in the dwellings of that class
of the community in which such improvement is most required,
and with most difficulty attained.
Ages at death.—The mortality of infants during the year
was much diminished, while that of persons in advanced life