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
Marylebone 1909
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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The parts affected by the disease are set out below, but it may be mentioned
that in the 66 men attacked, the organs of digestion were affected in 29 (44 per
cent.), and of the 99 women, in 31 (34 percent.).
The breast or womb was the seat of the disease in 27 of the 90 women (30 per cent.).
| Cancer and Malignant Disease of various parts of the body. | Males. | Females. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, Tongue, Jaw | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| Throat, Neck, Gullet | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| Stomach | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| Intestines | 17 | 21 | 38 |
| Liver | 4 | 11 | 15 |
| Breast | — | 10 | 10 |
| Uterus and Generative Organs | — | 17 | 17 |
| Various | 17 | 17 | 34 |
| 66 | 90 | 156 |
Alcoholism.
For statistical purposes, alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver (which in the
majority of cases is due to alcohol in excess) are considered together. In 1909,
the number of deaths due to these causes was 30, as compared with 35 in
1908. In all probability many other deaths stated to be due to other causes
were contributed to by excessive consumption of alcohol, e.g., conditions affecting
the kidneys. The number of deaths due to nephritis (inflammation of the
kidney) and Bright's disease of the kidneys, was 69.
Accident and Suicide.
During the year, deaths to the number of 64 occurred as the result of accident
or negligence, while 15 cases of suicide were recorded. The number of deaths
of infants caused by suffocation or overlying was 13.
RECORDS OF DISEASES.
Under this heading it is proposed to consider all diseases compulsorily or
voluntarily notifiable in the Borough. In the case of the diseases known as
small-pox, cholera, diphtheria or membranous croup, erysipelas, scarlet fever,
and typhus, relapsing, continued and puerperal fevers, notification to the
Medical Officer of Health is called for by Section 55 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891.
Cerebro-spinal fever is notifiable under an order of the London County
Council, and phthisis (consumption) under a form of voluntary notification in