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 1953

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH.
Population
The population of Barking at mid-1953, according to the Registrar
General's estimate, was 76,800. This shows a further decrease
the figure of 78,170 at the 1951 Census.
Births
1,090 live births and 33 still births were registered during 1953.
distributed as follows:—

Table: 1,090 livebirths and 33 still births were registered during 1953, distributed as follows

1,090 livebirths and 33 still births were registered during 1953, distributed as follows

Live Births:—MalesFemalestotal.
Legitimate5335281,061
Illegitimate151429
Totals5485421,090
Still-Births:—
Legitimate171633
Illegitimate---
Totals171633

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Total Live and Still-Births 565 658 1,123
Birth Rate per 1,000 of Estimated Population 14.62.
Birth Rate adjusted by Comparability Factor of 0.93=13.60
Still-Birth rate per 1,000 (Live and Still) Births 29 39.
Loss of Infant Life
The further slight rise in the still-birth rate is disturbing since a
still-birth represents the same wastage as a death occurring shortly
after birth, and causes just as much disappointment and distress to
the mother.
During the year 29 children died during the first year of life
As will be seen from Figure I the majority of these deaths took place
within the first few days of life whilst the babies were still in hospital.
By tradition, our statistics for the loss of infant life are divided
into those deaths occurring before birth (the so-called still-births) and
those occurring between birth and the first birthday (infant deaths).
The infant deaths are sub-divided into those occurring in the first
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