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 1909
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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lower than it has been since the district was divided into four
Wards.
In the South-West Ward the birth-rate has decreased
from 42.6 per 1,000 in 1906 to 37.4 per 1,000 in 1909. If
restricted child-bearing is compensated in improved mothering
of a fewer offspring, and if smaller families mean a higher
individual fostering and culture, a greater personal attainment
and efficiency, most people will agree that the numeral
decrease in the growth of the population will not be a high
price for the purchase of so desirable a result.
The Ward distribution of the births was as follows:—
| North-East. | North-West. | South-East. | South-West. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 331 | 220 | 294 | 635 |
Compared with 1908, fewer births occurred in the NorthEast,
South-East and South-West Wards. In the NorthWest
Ward there were 5 births more than in 1908.
Of the births registered, 754 were of males, and 726 of
females.
DEATHS.
| Number | 706 |
| Death-rate per 1,000 | 12.6 |
| Death-rate per 1,000 in England and Wales | 14.5 |
| Death-rate per 1,000 in 76 large towns | 14.7 |
| Death-rate per 1,000 in 143 smaller towns | 13.9 |
Although certain directions are issued as to the deaths
that should be credited to a district, there is no uniformity of
practice. In the notes attached to the Local Government
Board Tables it is stated that all deaths of residents occurring
in public institutions, whether within or without the district,
are to be included among the deaths of the district and in the
columns for the several age-groups, and in their respective
Wards according to the previous addresses of the deceased
as given by the Registrars.