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
City of London 1915
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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The following table shows the progressive decline which has taken place since 1861 in the number of inhabitants who reside within the City boundaries, and the progressive increase in the number of workers who are daily employed in the City:—
| Year. | Imperial Census. Night Population. | City Census. Day Population. |
|---|---|---|
| 1861 | 112,063 | - |
| 1866 | — | 170,133 |
| 1871 | 75,983 | — |
| 1881 | 51,405 | 261,061 |
| 1891 | 37,705 | 301,384 |
| 1901 | 26,923 | — |
| 1911 | 19,657 | 364,061 |
For statistical purposes, in the following pages the “Registration” District is
referred to when speaking of the “City.”
This consists of two sub-districts, together containing a population of 16,334
at the middle of 1915, calculated on the last Census Returns:—
St. Botolph 6,804
* St. Sepulchre and Allhallows 9,530
16,334
The Night population, therefore, of the City of London Registration District at the
middle of 1915, is assumed to be 16,334, and it is upon this figure that all vital
statistics in this Report have been calculated.
The Day Census taken in May, 1911, showed that the Day population was 364,061
persons, and also that 1,077,155 persons and 94,095 vehicles entered and left the
City on the day the count was made.
BIRTHS.
During the year 1915, 414 births were registered in the City, 277 of which,
however, did not belong thereto. To the remaining 137 must be added 12 children
born to Citizens temporarily residing outside the City boundary.
The number of births, therefore, on which the rate should be calculated is 149.
The annual birth rate was 9.2 per 1,000 persons of all ages, compared with a
quinquennial mean rate of 10.6 per 1,000.
In the Metropolis the birth rate in 1915 was 22.6 per 1,000.
This decline in the birth rate has been in operation in this country sinc3 1876
and is common to nearly all European countries.
VACCINATION.
Of the 412 births notified to the Vaccination Officers during 1915, 137 had been
successfully vaccinated by the end of the year, 33 had died before the age for
vaccination, and in no case was a child reported as insusceptible. Vaccination was
postponed by medical certificate in 1 case, 178 parents had removed into other districts,
and 15 vaccinations were pending at the end of the year. There were 48 instances of
conscientious objection.
* On the 1st April, 1901, the Middle Temple was transferred from the Strand Sub-District to St. Sepulchre and
Allhallows Sub-District.