London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Barking 1913

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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11
The weather conditions of the past year were about average
as judged by the previous 5 years. There were, however, short
periods of hot weather during July and August, which account
for a small outbreak of Epidemic Diarrhoea.
Vital Statistics.
Population.
A little consideration of the population and its method of
growth may be of use to the matters that are at present under
consideration.

The growth of the town since 1851 is as follows :—

Census year.Population.Males.Females
18515,3652,5922,773
18615,5912,7022,886
18716,5763,1103,466
18819,2034,4624,741
189114,3017,3086,993
190121,54711,01210,535
191131,29415,68615,608

It is seen that the rapid increase began in 1871, shortly after
the opening of the Southend and Tilbury line, and that its rate
of increase has remained fairly constant since that time, averaging
50 per cent. every 10 years. The indication, however, is that
this rate tends to get less, and that a population of under 45,000
is to be expected in 1921. An increasing population cannot continue
for many years in face of a falling birth rate, and I should
put the figure for the town in 1931 as between 50 and 60 thousand,
rather nearer the latter than the former figure. It is interesting
to note that from 1891 to 1911 males outnumber the females,