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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 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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London County Council
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 1936
VOL. III (Part I)
REPORT OF THE COUNTY MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE YEAR 1936
By Sir Frederick Menzies, K.B.E., M.D., LL.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.S.E., County
Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer.
Vital Statistics
The population enumerated in London by the census on the night of 26th April,
1931, was 4,397,003, including 10,500 non-civilians. In this census the place of usual
residence was also recorded, so that two population figures are available, the enumerated
population already stated, and the normal resident population, which was
4,419,877.
The Registrar-General estimates the resident population of the county in the
middle of 1936 to have been 4,141,100, compared with 4,185,200 a year earlier. The
corresponding estimates for metropolitan boroughs are shown in table 28, and the
rates given in this annual report are calculated upon these figures.
Population.
The age and sex-distribution of this estimated population is as follows Table 1.
| Age group | Males | Females | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- 5 years | 129,000 | 125,400 | 254,400 |
| 5-15 „ | 290,300 | 286,300 | 576,600 |
| 15-25 „ | 349,000 | 380,500 | 729,500 |
| 25-35 „ | 340,100 | 379,700 | 719,800 |
| 35-45 „ | 262,000 | 324,300 | 586,300 |
| 45-55 „ | 231,800 | 286,300 | 518,100 |
| 55-65 „ | 189,200 | 228,400 | 417,600 |
| 65-75 „ | 103,900 | 138,400 | 242,300 |
| 75 years and over | 34,100 | 62,400 | 96,500 |
| Total | 1,929,400 | 2,211,700 | 4,141,100 |
The marriages registered in London during 1936 numbered approximately
44,479 or 21.5 per thousand of the population, the corrected rate for the preceding
year being 21.1.
Marriages.
The live births in London during 1936 numbered 56,273, compared with 55,780
in the preceding year. The live birth-rate was 13.6 per thousand as against 13.3
in 1935.
The birth-rates in table 30 show that the marked decline in the rate since
the war is now giving place to a slight tendency to increase. It may be that, as the
rates since 1931 are dependent upon estimates of the population, some adjustment
may have to be made in them when the census results of 1941 are available and the
intercensal estimates can be revised ; but it appears to be unlikely that any such
adjustments will be so large as to modify the conclusion suggested by the rates as
they stand.
Births.