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
Barking 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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Of the total live births which occurred during the year all except 33, or 3.9 per cent., were notified, particulars of from whom notifications were received being supplied by the following table:—
| By whom notified. | Live Births. | Still Births |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Practitioners | 136 ??? | 4 ??? |
| Certified Midwives | 20 ??? | |
| Parents and Others | 106 ??? | 4 ??? |
The actual number of births within the district during the year
was 830, the net total of 825 being reached by adjustment of
inward and outward transfers, etc.
Of the total live births during the year 519, or 66.1 per cent.,
were attended by midwives, the remainder being attended by medical
practitioners.
The percentage of still births was 3.2.
The actual number of all births registered included 411 males
and 414 females, of which number 23, or 2.7 per cent, were illegitimate.
On comparison with 1024, 21 fewer births were registered
during 1925, a fall equivalent to 2.4 per cent. There can be little
doubt that a considerable proportion of this fall is intentional,
though partly resulting from industrial distress and the housing
shortage, factors which have ever prolonged the mean age at
carriage, and have in turn paved the way to the now growing
practice of birth control.
MATERNITY WARD.
One ward at the Infectious Hospital continued to be used for
maternity work during the year. 206 cases were admitted and
167 babies born (compared with 143 and 124 respectively in 19241
or 20.1 per cent. of the total births of the district. Although the
percentage number of occupied beds during the year showed an
increase, there is still matter for regret, considering the over-