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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Prior to their attack of illness the 41 persons over 15 years of age dead of Phthisis last year were employed as follows:—
| Males. | Females. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| General Labourer | 3 | Household | 8 |
| Butcher | Laundress | 3 | |
| Clerk | Dressmaker | 2 | |
| Hairdresser | 1 | Domestic Cook | 1 |
| Hay-binder | 1 | Lace Worker | 1 |
| Schoolmaster | 1 | Upholstress | 1 |
| Printer | 1 | ||
| Plumber | 1 | ||
| Plasterer | 1 | ||
| Carman | 1 | ||
| Carpenter | 1 | ||
| Baker | 1 | ||
| Tobacconist | 1 | ||
| Steel-grinder | 1 | ||
| Rag Sorter | 1 | ||
| Bricklayer | 1 | ||
| Jeweller | 1 | ||
| Physician | 1 | ||
| No Occupation | 1 | ||
| Independent Means | 1 | ||
| Total | 25 | Total | 16 |
In 1908 three laundresses died of Consumption, in 1907
four, and in 190b four. These figures would represent, roughly,
an annual death-rate of 1 per 1,000 of women employed in
the laundries. This is slightly below the death-rate for all
persons above 15 years of age in the district, and slightly
above the death-rate of females above 15 years of age.
It has also been suggested that men are more liable to
■infection in public houses and common lodging houses. The
researches of Dr. Niven in Manchester prove how potent both
these factors are in the etiology of Phthisis, but last year there
were no deaths among persons removed from a common
lodging house to the infirmary. In 1908 there were two deaths