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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 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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London County Council.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 1931.
VOL. III—(Part I)
REPORT OF THE COUNTY MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE YEAR 1931.
By Sir Frederick Menzies, K.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H., F.R.S.E., County
Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer.
Vital Statistics.
The population of the county of London at the census of 20th June, 1921,
was 4,484,523, including members of the armed forces in London, but excluding
Londoners on active service and elsewhere. It was estimated by the RegistrarGeneral
that the population normally resident in London at the date of that census
was about 4,524,000, allowance being made in this estimate for persons absent on
holidav when the census was taken.
Population.
The enumerated population of London is shown by the census taken on the
night of 26th April, 1931, to have been 4,397,003, including 10,500 non-civilians.
There was, therefore, an intercensal decrease of 87,520, including 1,600 non-civilians.
During this period the births have exceeded the civilian deaths by over 237,000
so that the movement of population has resulted in a net loss in the ten years of
about 325,000, excluding non-civilians.
The estimated populations of the metropolitan boroughs in 1931, based upon the
preliminary census results, are shown in the table on page 6, and the rates given
in this Annual Report are calculated upon these figures.
The marriages registered in London during 1931 numbered approximately
41,210, or 18.8 per thousand of the population, the corrected rate for the preceding
year being 195.
Marriages.
The births in London during 1931 numbered 65,084 compared with 69,447 in
the preceding year. The birth-rate was 15.0 per thousand, as against 15.8 in 1930.
This is the lowest birth-rate recorded in London, the number of births being fewer
by 5,292 than in 1918, when the influence of the European War was at its height.
The birth-rate for each metropolitan borough will be found in the table on
page 6.
Births.
The deaths in the civil population of London during 1931 numbered 54,288
giving a death-rate of 12.4 per thousand, compared with 11.6 in 1930.
Deaths.
The distribution of deaths by ages in 1931 and recent preceding periods is shown in the following table:—
| Period. | 0- | 1 - | 2- | 5- | 10- | 15- | 20- | 25- | 35- | 45- | 55- | 65+ | All ages. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1919-22 | 7.836 | 2,131 | 1,919 | 1,376 | 853 | 1,175 | 1,318 | 3,103 | 4,238 | 6,414 | 8,265 | 19,828 | 58,456 |
| 1923-26 | 5,546 | 1,611 | 1,453 | 828 | 637 | 1,013 | 1,220 | 2,479 | 3,659 | 6,080 | 8,456 | 21,004 | 53,986 |
| 1927-30 | 4,585 | 1,396 | 1,152 | 818 | 490 | 1,009 | 1,245 | 2,414 | 3,444 | 6,195 | 9,200 | 23,788 | 55,736 |
| 1928 | 4,879 | 1,556 | 1,278 | 863 | 484 | 1,042 | 1,215 | 2,362 | 3,375 | 5,869 | 8,705 | 22,267 | 53,895 |
| 1929 | 4,995 | 1,642 | 1,217 | 842 | 502 | 1,047 | 1,272 | 2,528 | 3,765 | 6,907 | 10,491 | 27,681 | 62,889 |
| 1930 | 4,109 | 1,205 | 963 | 779 | 447 | 956 | 1,237 | 2,347 | 3,015 | 5,571 | 8,529 | 21,834 | 50,992 |
| 1931 | 4,270 | 862 | 721 | 622 | 463 | 953 | 1,248 | 2,353 | 3,052 | 5,795 | 9,047 | 24,902 | 54,288 |
It will be seen that the deaths in 1931 exceeded those of 1930 by 3,296. The
increase is almost entirely due to influenza and the increased deaths from respiratory
and heart diseases commonly associated with a prevalence of influenza.
For the first time for a number of years the deaths due to street accidents
show a decided tendency to decrease, the total being 731 for the 52 weeks of the
year compared with 822 for the 53 weeks of 1930; among children under 15
years of age the deaths decreased from 166 to 146.
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