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
Acton 1902
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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11
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
There were 187 deaths registered of Infants under one year of age as
against 1,242 births; the proportion which the deaths under one year
of age bear to 1,000 births is therefore 149.8 as against 170.1 in the
preceding year.
The following table compares the death rate of children under one year per 1,000 registered births, and the birth-rate for the last sixteen years:—
| Year. | Birth Rate per 1,000. | Deaths of Children under one year, per 1,000 Registered Births. |
|---|---|---|
| 1887 | 28.7 | 147 |
| 1888 | 31.1 | 182 |
| 1889 | 34.1 | 175 |
| 1890 | 28.3 | 151 |
| 1891 | 30.8 | 146 |
| 1892 | 30.5 | 185 |
| 1893 | 31.9 | 192.5 |
| 1894 | 30.2 | 160.6 |
| 1895 | 31.6 | 168.1 |
| 1896 | 30.3 | 168.9 |
| 1897 | 30.7 | 198.3 |
| 1898 | 30.5 | 181.9 |
| 1899 | 31.7 | 187.2 |
| 1900 | 28.1 | 168.5 |
| 1901 | 32.0 | 170.1 |
| 1902 | 27.8 | 149.8 |
In my Annual Report for 1901 I dealt fully on the causes of our
Infant Mortality, and among other suggestions I advised the establishment
of a creche.
The Sanitary Committee instructed me to draw up a report. This
I did after making full inquiries. On writing to the Local Government
Board on the subject we were informed that the Council could not
support a creche out of the rates. Its establishment, therefore, would
have to be entirely by voluntary contributions, and there is a golden
opportunity for some philanthropic person to give it a start.
In towns such as Manchester, Norwich, and Deptford, private
creches are established, and pay their way. Such an institution is