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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

London County Council 1896

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

Published
1897
Pages
175
Tables
107

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107 tables in this report

  • Page -
    The estimated population of each of the 43 sanitary districts comprised in the Administrative County is shown in the following table—
    Sanitary district.Estimated population, 1896.Sanitary district.Estimated population, 1896.Sanitary district.Estimated population 1896.
  • Page -
    marriage rate since 18/0 has been as follows—
  • Page 6
    Marriages of minors per cent. of total marriages.
    London.England.
    Males.Females.Males.Females.
  • Page 6
    Marriages of minors in London, 1896.
    Registration districts.Men.Women.Registration districts.Men.Women.
  • Page 6
    Births. The number of births registered in the Administrative County of London in 1896 was 136,223 giving an annual birth rate of 30.2 per 1,000 persons living. The birth rate since 1870 has been as follows—
  • Page 6
    The corresponding figures for England and Wales are as follows—
  • Page 7
    Continued from previous page...
    Sanitary District.Births.Birth rate per 1,000 living.Births per 100 females aged 15.46.
  • Page 7
    Deaths. The number of deaths registered in the administrative county of London in 1896 was 81,963, giving an annual death rate of 18*1 per 1,000 living. Since the year 1870 the London death rate has been as follows—
  • Page 8
    All causes.
    Towns.Estimated population middle of 1896.Crude death rate per 1,000 liying.Death rate per 1,000 living (corrected for age and sex distribution).
    1886.95.1896.1886.95.1896.
  • Page 8
    The following table enables comparison to be made of the death rate of London with those of several foreign cities—* All causes.—Death rates per 1,000 living.
  • Page 8
    The following table shows the crude death rates and the death rates corrected for differences in the age and sex constitution of the populations, obtaining in each of the sanitary districts of London for the year 1896, and the period 1886.95— Crude and corrected death rates3 per 1,000 persons living in sanitary districts of London.
    Sanitary area.Standard death rate.Factor for correction for age and sex distribution.Crude death rate, 1886.95.Corrected death rate, 1886.95.Comparative mortality figure, 1886.95. (London 1,000.)Crude death rate, 1896.Corrected .death rate, 1896.Comparative mortality figure, 1896. (London 1,000.)
  • Page 9
    Continued from previous page...
    Sanitary area.Standard death rate.Factor for correction for age and sex distribution.Crude death rate, 1886.95.Corrected death rate, 1886.96.Comparative mortality figure, 1886.95. (London 1,000.)Crude death rate, 1896.Corrected death rate, 1896.Comparative mortality figure, 1896. (London 1,000.)
  • Page 9
    The death rates of Battersea, Wandsworth, Hammersmith. Fulham, Stoke Newington, Hackney, Lee, and Plumstead cannot be given for the period 1886.95, as during some portion of this period Battersea was combined with Wandsworth, Hammersmith with Fulham, Stoke Newington with Hackney, and Lee with Plumstead; the death rates of the combined areas for this period, however, are shown in the following table—
    Sanitary area.Standard death rate.Factor for correction for age and sex distribution.Crude death rate, 1886.95.Corrected death rate, 1886.95.Comparative mortality figure, 1886.95. [London 1,000.]
  • Page 9
    London mortality in the six years 1891.6 compared with the decennium 1881.90. The following table shows the mean death rates obtaining in London at the several age periods, and for each sex in the decennium 1881.90, and the six years 1891.96—
    Age period.Males.Females.
    Mean death rate 1881.90.Mean death rate 1891-96.Differences per cent.Mean death rate 1881.80.Mean death rate 1891.96.Difference per cent.
  • Page 10
    Table I. Mean future lifetime of males and females in groups of ages (calculated from London life tables, 1881-90.)
    Age groups.Males.Females.Age groups.Males.Females.
  • Page 10
    The result of this process is shown in the following table— Table II.
    Age groups.Deaths calculated according to mean rates 1881-90.Mean deaths occurring in the six years 1891-6.Mean annual gain (+) or loss (—) of lives in the six years 1891-6 by fluctuations of mortality.Mean annual gain (+) or Ions (—) oflife capital "in the Fix years 1891-6 by fluctuat ions of mortality.
  • Page 11
    The infant mortality in London may be compared with that in other English towns having more than 200,000 inhabitants by reference to the following table— Deaths under one year of age per 1,000 births.
    Towns.1886-95.1896.Towns.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 12
    The infant mortality in 1896 and in the period 1886-95 in the several London sanitary districts was as follows—
    Sanitary district.Deaths under 1 year of age, 1896.Deaths under one year of age per 1,000 births.
    1886-95.1896.
  • Page 13
    Deaths from several classes of disease. The deaths from the several classes of disease registered in the registration county of Londor (including the lunatic asylums and hospitals for infectious disease belonging to the county) are giver by the Registrar-General in the Annual Summary of Births, Deaths and Causes of Death, and the following table has been prepared from the figures contained in the summary relating to the year 1896— 1 See footnote (1), page 7.
    Corrected annual average 1886-95.1896.
  • Page 13
    Principal zymotic diseases—Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886-95.1896.Towns.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 13
    Six principal zymotic diseases—Death-rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886-95.1896.Towns.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 14
    The death-rates from the principal zymotic diseases in the several sanitary districts of London in 1896 and the period 1886-95 are shown in the following table—
    Sanitary district.Deaths in 1896.Death rate per 1,000 living.Sanitary district.Deaths in 1896.Death rate per 1,0(10 living.
    1886-95.1896.1886—95.1896.
  • Page 14
    The death rates from smallpox in successive periods have been as follows—
    Period.Smallpox death rate per 1,000 living.Period.Smallpox death rate per 1,000 living.
  • Page 14
    During the complete years in which the notification of infectious diseases has been obligatory the number of cases of smallpox notified to the medical officers of health in the administrative county has been as follows—
    Year.Cases notified.Case rate per 1,000 living.
  • Page 15
    Smallpox—Death rate per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886-95.1896.Towns.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 15
    Smallpox—Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886-95.1896.Towns.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 15
    The cases notified in the administrative county were distributed throughout the year as follows—
    No. of week.Week endingNo. of cases notified.No. of week.Week endingNo. of cases notified.No. of week.WeekendingNo. of cases notified.
  • Page 16
    Sanitary district.Four weeks endedFive weeks ended Jan. 2, 1897.
    Jan. 25.Feb. 22.Mar. 21.Apr. 18.May 16.June 13.July 11.Aug. 8.Sept. 5.Oct. 3.Oct. 31.Nov. 28.
  • Page 16
    The following table shows the number of cases of and deaths from smallpox belonging to each district in 1896, the case rate of each district in the period 1891.5 and in 1896, and the death.rate of each district in the period 1886.95 and in 1896.
    Sanitary district.Cases, 1896.Case rate per 1,000 living.Deaths, 1895.Death rate per 1,000 living.
    1891.5.1896.1886.95.1896.
  • Page 17
    Sanitary district. Cases, 1896. Case rate per 1,000 living. Deaths, 1895. Death rate per 1,000 living.
    Sanitary district Cases 1896.Case rate per 1,000 livingDeaths 1895.Deaths rate per 1,000 living.
    1891-5.18961886-95.1896.
  • Page 20
    Smallpox deaths, London, 1881.96.
    Age period.All ages.0.11.55.2020.4040.6060.8080 and upwards.
  • Page 20
    " All ages " taken as 100.
    Age period.All ages.0.11.55.2020.4040.6060.8080 and upwards.
  • Page 20
    " Vaccinated" and "no statement" combined.
  • Page 20
    The report of the Statistical Committee of the Metropolitan Asylums Board for 1896 supplies the following figures, showing the state as to vaccination of the patients suffering from smallpox, admitted into the institutions of the Board during the year—
    Age period.Vaccinated.No evidence as to vaccination, fVaccination cicatrices absent.
    Admissions.Deaths.Admissions.Deaths.Admissions.Deaths.
  • Page 21
    London vaccination returns.
    Year.Children not finally accounted for (including cases postponed) per cent. of total birtti8.Year.Children not finally. accounted for (including cases postponed) per cent. of total births.
  • Page 24
    Measles—Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886.95.1896.Towns.1886.95.1896.
  • Page 24
    Measles —Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886.95.1896.Towns.1886.95.1896.
  • Page 24
    The measles death rate of each district in 1896 and in the preceding ten years is shown in the following table—
    Sanitary area.Deaths in 1896.Death rate per 1,000 living.Sanitary district.Deaths in 1896.Death rate per 1,000 living.
    1886.95.1896.1886.95.1896.
  • Page 28
    Scarlet fever.
  • Page 29
    Scarlet fever—Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886.95.1896.Towns.1886.95.1895.
  • Page 29
    Scarlet fever—Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886.95.1896.Towns.1886.95.1896.
  • Page 29
    ihe case rate of each district in 1891.5 and in 1896, and the death rate of each district in 1886.95 and 1896, are shown in the following table—
    Sanitary area.Cases, 1896.Case rate per 1,000.Deaths, 1896.Death rate per 1,000.
    1891.95.1896.1886.95.1896.
  • Page 30
    Continued from previous page...
    Sanitary area.Cases, 1896.Case rate per 1,000.Deaths, 1896.Death rate per 1,000.
    1891.95.1896.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 31
    holiday influence be compared with the four preceding and four subsequent weeks, the following results are obtained—
    Period.Notified cases—Ages.Increase or decrease per cent.
    0—33—1313 and upwards.0—33—1313 and upwards.
  • Page 32
    Scarlet fever*, 1896.
    Age period.Males.Females.
    Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Rates per 100,000 living.Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Rates per 100,000 living.
    Cases.Deaths.Cases.Deaths.
  • Page 32
    Scarlet fever—Case mortality, 1896.
    Month.No. of weeks.Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Mean case mortality taken as 100.
  • Page 33
    Scarlet fever—Case mortality, 1892-96.
    Month.Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Mean case mortality taken as 100.
  • Page 33
    Scarlet fever—Notifications, 1892-6.
    Month.Notified cases, 1892-6.
    All ages.0—1—2—3-4—Under 5.5—10—15—20 and upwards.
  • Page 33
    Month."All ages " taken as 1,000.
    All ages.0—1—2—3—4—Under 5.5—10—15—20 and upwards.
  • Page 34
    The diphtheria death and case rates in 1896 and preceding periods are shown in the table— Diphtheria.
    Period.Death rate per 1,000 living.Case rate per 1,000 living.Case mortality per cent.
  • Page 34
    Diphtheria Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1880-95.1896.Towns.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 34
    Diphtheria—Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886-95.1896.Towns.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 35
    The case rate of each district in 1891-5 and in 1896, and the death rate in 1886-95 and in 1896, are shown in the following table—
  • Page 36
    Chelsea.—The medical officer of health gives details of the behaviour of diphtlieria in Chelsea in 1896. The number of cases notilied in each month were as follows—
  • Page 37
    Gamberwell.—The medical officer of health gives account of an exceptional prevalence of diphtheria in 1896 in an area in Camberwell in which four schools are situated, and he supplies the material for comparing the incidence of attack in this area with that of the rest of Camberwell, both in 1896 and the preceding year. The following figures for these years are thus obtained—
    Attacks at certain age periods per cent, of total attacks.
    0—44—1313 and above.
  • Page 38
    The diagram shows a decrease in the number ot attacks among children aged 3-13 in the 32nd-35th week, a decrease among infants being manifested a little later, suggesting, as I have before pointed out, a lessening of the infection of the younger by the older children. If the number of cases in the four weeks which would be most subject to the influence of the holidays be compared with the numbers in the four preceding and subsequent weeks the following results are obtained—
    Period.Notified cases—Ages.Increase or decrease per cent.
    0 - 33—1313 and upw___is.0—33—1313 and upwards.
  • Page 39
    Diphtheria, † 1896.
    Age period.Males.Females.
    Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Rates per 100,000 living.Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Bates per 100,000 living.
    Cases.Deaths.Cases.Deaths.
  • Page 39
    Beyond this it is shown that the amount of reduction of fatality is dependent on the day of illness on which the patient comes under treatment thus—
    Fatality per cent, all ages.
    1894.1896.
  • Page 40
    The following table shows the case mortality of diphtheria at certain ages and for each sex for each of the years 1893-6 inclusive—
    Age-period.Case mortality per cent.
    Males.Females.
    1893.1894.1895.1896.1893.1894.1895.1896.
  • Page 40
    Diphtheria—Case mortality, 1896.
    Month.No. of weeks.Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Mean case mortality taken as 100.
  • Page 41
    Diphtheria—Case mortality, 1891-96.
    Month.Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Mean case mortality taken as 100.
  • Page 41
    Diphtheria, 1892-6.
    Month.Notified cases, 1892-96.
    All ages.0—1—2—3—4—Under 5.5—10—15—20 and upwards.
  • Page 41
    Continued from previous page...
    Month."All ages" taken as 1,000.
    All ages.0—1—2_3—4—Under 5.5—10—15—20 and upwards.
  • Page 42
    Whooping Cough. The deaths from whooping cough in the administrative county of London during 1896 numbered 2,934, compared with 1,485 in 1895. The death rates from this disease in 1895 and preceding periods were as follows—
    Period.Death rate per 1,000 living.Period.Death rate per 1,000 living.
  • Page 42
    The whooping cough death rate of London can be compared with that of other large towns England having a population of more than 200,000 inhabitants by reference to the following table— Whooping cough—heath rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.Ten years, 1886-95.1896.Towns.Ten years, 1886-95.1896.
  • Page 42
    The following table shows that the London death rate from whooping cough exceeded the death rates of all the undermentioned foreign cities in the period 1886-95 and exceeded all except Stockholm in 1896. Whooping cough—Death rates per 1,000 living.
    Towns.1886-95.1896.Towns.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 43
    The death rate of each district in 1896 and in the preceding ten years is shown in the following table—
    Sanitary district.Deaths in 1896.Death rates per 1,000 living.Sanitary district.Deaths in 1896.Death rates per 1,000 living.
    1886-95.1896.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 43
    Typhus. During the year 1896 six cases of typhus were notified, and five deaths from this cause were registered in the administrative county of London. The death rates from this disease per 1,000 living in 1896 and preceding periods were as follows—
  • Page 44
    Enteric fever.
    Period.Death rate per 1,000 living.Case rate per 1,000 living.Case mortality per cent.
  • Page 45
    The case rate of each London district in 1890-5 and in 1896 and the death rate in 1886-95 and in 1896 is shown in the following table—
    Sanitary district.Cases, 1896.Case rate per 1,000.Deaths, 1896.Death rate per 1,000.
    1891-95.1896.1886-95.1896.
  • Page 47
    Enteric fever, 1896.
    Age period.Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Rates per 100,000 living.Cases.Deaths.Case mortality per cent.Rates per 100,000 living.
    Cases,Deaths.Cases.Deaths.
  • Page 47
    Diarrhcea—Death rates per 1000 living.
    Towns.Ten years, 1886-95.1896.Towns.Ten years, 1886-95.1896.
  • Page 48
    highest death rate (0.91) and the north and west the lowest (0.61), while of the several districts St. Olave
    Sanitary district.Deaths, 1896.Deaths rate per 1,000 living.Sanitary district.Deaths, 1896.Deaths rate per 1,000 living.
    1886—95.1896.1868—95.1896.
  • Page 49
    I he number of cases notified and the number of deaths registered in the registration county of London during the last six years have been as follows—
    Year.Cases.Case rate per 1,000 living.Deaths.1Death rate per 1,000 living.
  • Page 49
    The number of cases notified and the case rate of each district in 1896, together with the mean case rate of the period 1891-5 are given in the following table-
    Sanitary district.Cases, 1896.Case rate per 1,000 living.Sanitary district.Cases, 1896.Case rate per 1,000 living.
    1891-95.1896.1891-95.1896.
  • Page 50
    The number of cases notified and the number of deaths registered in the registration county of London have been as follows—
  • Page 50
    If these cases and deaths are considered in relation to the total population and total births, the following rates are obtained—
    Year.Case rate per 1,000 living.Case rate per 1,000 births.Death rate1 per 1,000 living.Death rate1 per 1,000 births.
  • Page 50
    The deaths from these diseases since 1889 have been as follows—
    Tear.Influenza.Bronchitis.Pneumonia.
    Deaths.1Corrected annual average for preceding ten years.Deaths.1Corrected annual average for preceding ten years.Deaths.1Corrected annual average for preceding ten years.
  • Page 51
    The deaths from phthisis in the administrative county of London during 1896 numbered 7,586. The death rates of this disease per 1,000 living in the registration county of London in successive periods have been as follows —
  • Page 51
    The death rates in the several groups of districts were in 1895 and 1896, as follows—
  • Page 51
    The following table shows the number of deaths from phthisis, and the death rate per 1,000 living in the various sanitary districts in 1896—
    Sanitary district.Deaths, 1896.Death rate per 1,000 living, 1896.Sanitary district.Deaths, 1896.Death rate per 1,000 living, 1896.
  • Page 51
    The death rates of this disease per 1,000 living in successive periods have been as follows_
  • Page 52
    The temperature and rainfall in each month of 1896 are shown in the following table—
    Month.Temperature of the Air.Departure from average of 125 years, 1771-1895.Rain.
    Highest by Day.Lowest by Night.Mean for Month.Number of days it fell.Amount collected.
  • Page 53
    The number of applications for the licence of slaughterhouses and the number of slaughterhouses licensed is diminishing each year, as will be seen from the following table*—
    Tear.Number of applications received.Number of licences granted.
  • Page 60
    The following tabular statement shows the procedure of district authorities as to houses represented as unfit for human habitation, and concerning which the Council has received copies of representations from the 1st January to the 31st December, 1896 —
    Local Authority.Total number of houses conccrning which the Council has received information that representations have been made from the 1/1/96 to the 31/12/96.Number of houses closed, demolished or improved by owners without Magisterial intervention.Number of houses for which closing orders were granted.Number of houses for which closing orders were refused.Number of houses outstanding or concerning which proceedings are in progress.
    Closed.Demolished.Improved.Total.Subsequently demolished.Subsequently improved.No further action.Total.
  • Page 65
    Common lodging-houses.
    Number of common lodging-houses.Authorised number of lodgers.Number of houses registered by the Council in 1896.
  • Page 66
    Number of common lodging-houses. Authorised number of persons. Number of houses registered by the Coui cil in 1896.
  • Page 69
    in their districts have been duly inspected during the year. From some of the reports the number 01 bakehouses in occupation, and the number of these which are underground, can be ascertained, thus—
    Number in occupation.Number underground.
  • Page 70
    The report of the water examiner appointed under the Metropolis Water Act, 1871, supplies the following information as to the capacity of the subsidence reservoirs, and the monthly average rate of filtration of the several companies in 1896—
    Number of days' supply.Monthly rate of filtration per square foot per hour.
    Mean monthly average. Gallons.Maximum monthly average. Gallons.
  • Page 76
    In accordance with section 3 (1) of the London (Equalisation of Rates) Act, 1894, the expenses incurred in respect of the census taken on the 29th March, 1896, viz., £7,720 9s. 4d., has been deducted from the total contributions received, the amount of contributions remaining being then distributed among the sanitary districts in proportion to population.
    Sanitary District.Enumerated population 29th March, 1896.Equalisation charge being excess of contribution over grant.Net grant being excess of grant over contribution.
  • Page 77
    The following table indicates those London districts in which the medical officer of health has been elected in accordance with the above requirement of the Public Health (London) Act, up to the end of 1896—
    District.District.District.District.
  • Page -
    Comparison may be made between the diphtheria case and death rates in London and Camberwell thus— Diphtheria.
    Year.London.Camberwell.
    Case rate per 1,000.Death rate per 1,000.Case rate per 1,000.Death rate per 1,000.
  • Page -
    The following results are thus obtained—
    All ages.0—3.3—5.5—10.10—15.15 and upwards.
  • Page -
    Again, if comparison be made between the age incidence of the disease on persons who were first attacked in households and those who were subsequently attacked, it is found that the incidence on the school age is greater in the case of the former than in the case of the latter,† thus—
    Age period.Number of " fitst attacks " in households.Number of subsequent attacks.Number of " first attacks " at each age per cent, of " first attacks " at " all ages."Number of subsequent attacks at each age per cent. of subsequent attacks at " all ages."
  • Page -
    Number of " first attacks in households " notified in affected area in 1896—
    Week ending.Males.Females.
    All ages.0-33-4-5-1010-11-12-13 and upwards.All ages0-33-4-5-1010-11-12-13 and upwards.
  • Page -
    Number of " subsequent attacks in households " notified in affected area in 1896—
    Week ending.Males. Females.
    All ages.0-33-4-5-1010-11-12-13 and All upwards, ages.0-33-4-5-1010-11-12-13 and upwards.
  • Page -
    Notified cases of diphtheria and membranous croup.
    Blackheath and Lewisham (Population, 45,G12).Affected area (Population, 7,882).
  • Page -
    DIPHTHERIA.
    All ages.0-3.3-10.10-15.15 and upwards.
  • Page -
    The effect of the continued prevalence of diphtheria upon school attendance may be seen on examining the appended table—
    Board school.
    Boys.Girls.Infants.
  • Page -
    The following are the results obtained— Percentage of Children in each class attacked (First sufferers).
    Board School.National School.
    Boys.Girls.Infants.Boys.Girls.Infants.
    i.ii.iii.iv.v.vi.vii.i.ii.iii.iv.v.vivii.i.ii.iiiivv.vi.i.ii.iii.iv.v.vivii.i.ii.iii.ivv.i.ii.iii.iv.
  • Page -
    The following results are obtained by the addition of these cases—
    No. of cases which had attended school within 7 days of first symptoms.No. of such cases which had not been preceded by a previous case in the house.Per cent.
  • Page -
    APPENDIX.
    Situation and total accommodation.Dormitoy and nature of Bleeping accommodation.No. of beds or bunks at time of visit.Cubic space per bed or bunk.Floor space per bed or bunk.Lavatory accommodation.Water-closet accommodation.Whether separate day-room is provided or not.
  • Page -
    Situation and total accommodation.Dormitory and nature of sleeping accommodation.No. of beds or bunks at time of visit.Cubic space per bed or bunk.Floor space per bed or bunk.Lavatory accommodation.Water-closet accommodation.Whether separate day-room is provided or not.
  • Page -
    Situation and total accommodation.Dormitory and nature of sleeping accommodation.No. of beds or bunks at time of visit.Cubic space per bed or bunk.Floor Space per bed or bunk.Lavatory accommodation.Water-closet accommodation.Whether separate day-room is provided or not.
  • Page -
    The following figures show the changes which have been taking place—
    Inhabited bouses.Population.
    1871.1881.1891.1871.1881.1891.
  • Page -
    The following table shows the age and sex constitution of the population in comparison with that of London at the time of the 1891 census—
    Age period.0-5-10-15-20-25-35-45-55-65-75-
  • Page -
    The general death rates are corrected for age and sex distribution, and for comparison the London rates are also given.
    Birth rate per 1,000 living.General death rate per 1,000 living.Zymotic death rate per 1,000 living.Infantile death rate per 1,000 bom.
    Holborn.London.Holborn.London.Holborn.London.Holborn.London.