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 1885

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth District, The Board of Works (Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting & Wandsworth)]

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Table: TA BLE I.AGE.

TA BLE I.

AGE.

YEARS.Under 1 year.From 1 to 5 years.From 5 to 10 years.All under 20 years.From 20 to 40 year8.From 40 to 60 years.From 60 to 80 years.80 years & upwards.
18741774521071838361462419116
18758864671321660399422502113
1876910524991638398468540110
18778404661091517387458525104
18789836001001780338483532142
18799486821021878368487658135
188011366001402021374500560138
188110436271321938410548599152
188210827521432087428557634145
188311896961342145484593670191
18841367736952341484623661157
18851268660942153467683740150

Text

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The preceding statements however do not evade the
fallacy contained in the fact that the number of people
living at different groups of ages may increase or
diminish, in which case the death.rate would similarly
oscillate. Thus an increase in the relative number of
children under 5 years would increase the entire death.
rate, as children of this age have a higher mortality than
older persons. Similarly the presence in any sub.district
of an excess of persons between 15 and 35 (ages of low
mortality), as for instance where there is a large number
of domestic servants,—would lower its apparent death.
rate.
Death.rates This fallacy is escaped in the following
at different
ages table. It unfortunately refers to the year
1881, the absence of annual census returns
preventing the application of the method to the deaths
of the present year. The table is however inserted as an
example of an important method, and as a datum for
comparison when the results of the 1891 census are
known.