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 1921
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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The great bulk of the 117 deaths, viz., 102, was due to phthisis. The number
in 1920 was 94.
Of the total number of deaths registered (1,355), the percentage due to phthisis
was 7.5, as against 7.2 in 1920. The age periods at which the deaths occurred were :
2—5 years, 0 (0.0 per cent.); 5—15, 1 (1.2 per cent.); 15—25, 11 (11.0 per cent.) ;
25—45, 50 (49.1 per cent.); 45—65,33 (32.6 per cent.); 65 and over, 6 (6.1 per cent.).
Below the age of two years, 1 death was certified as having occurred from
this digease.
The subject of phthisis is further discussed in connection with the notification
and prevention of tuberculosis.
The following table gives the figures for each of the years from 1916. It will
be noted that though there have been occasional rises the tendency has all the time
been downwards. The reasons for this will be discussed later.
TABLE VIII.
Deaths from Phthisis and other Tuberculous Diseases.
| Year. | No. of Cases. | Population. | Rate per 1,000 of Population. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | 186 | 98,573 | 1.88 |
| 1917 | 169 | 92,796 | 1.82 |
| 1918 | 190 | 98,526 | 1.93 |
| 1919 | 116 | 97,953 | 1.18 |
| 1920 | 122 | 101,856 | 1.19 |
| 1921 | 117 | 105,200 | 1.11 |
RESPIRATORY DISEASES.
The number of deaths due to bronchitis, pneumonia, and other diseases of the
organs of respiration was 305. This is higher by 29 than the figure (276) for 1920>
The death rate was 2'8 per 1,000. In 1920 the rate was 2'7.
The number of deaths certified to be due to bronchitis was 143 as against 140 in
1920. Of this number 95 were amongst persons aged 65 and upwards, and 36
amongst those of the age group 45—65.
The deaths traceable to pneumonia numbered 141, and as in the case of
bronchitis the later age groups contributed the greatest numbers, though 29 of the
deaths occurred amongst children under 2 years of age.
The number of cases of pneumonia notified was 55. Of the patients 15 were
aged 25-45, the other age periods contributing smaller numbers. Further particulars
with regard to distribution of the cases, both in relation to age and residence will be
found in the table on page 65. As a result of obtaining information as to the
occurrence of the disease it was possible to visit early and to arrange for nursing
if this appeared to be necessary. The actual number of visits paid was 1025 and of
cases nursed 49. After recovery, or if death unfortunately occurred, as soon as
convenient thereafter, disinfection was carried out,