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
Beckenham 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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INFANTILE MORTALITY
1930 - 1937 inclusive.
In the different Wards of the Borough.
| Area | Births | Infant Deaths | i.m.r. | NeoNatal | One week to one year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckenham M.B. | 5,840 | 196 | 33.56 | 15.22 | 18.32 | |
| Manor House Ward | ... | 1,027 | 43 | 41.86 | 14.60 | 27.26 |
| Shortlands Ward | a | 448 | 18 | 40.22 | 15.67 | 24.55 |
| Copers Cope Ward | a | 327 | 12 | 36.70 | 27.50 | 9.10 |
| Lawrie Park Ward | ... | 683 | 25 | 36.60 | 14.64 | 21.96 |
| Kent House Ward | ... | 655 | 23 | 35.11 | 10.68 | 24.40 |
| Langley Park Ward | a | 494 | 16 | 32.38 | 16.19 | 16.19 |
| West Wickham Ward* | a | 771 | 24 | 33.72 | 18.15 | 12.97 |
| Eden Park Ward | A | 1,435 | 35 | 24.40 | 13.20 | 11.10 |
*1934-37 only.
The above table shows the Infantile Mortality rates in the
various wards during the last eight years. There was some revision
of boundaries in the year 1935, but this revision did not materially
alter the residential character of any of the wards.
It will be seen at once (1) that the rates in the various wards
differ quite markedly; (2) that although the wards with the greatest
density of population did not show the highest rates, the rates for
such wards are all higher than the rate for the Borough as a whole.
The wards with the greatest density of population are those
chiefly occupied by members of the working classes, and are those
in which the general standard of housing accommodation is the
least satisfactory.
The wards where the standard of housing accommodation is
best are indicated in the table by the letter "A"; and it is noteworthy
that in two of these wards the rates are definitely high.
To appreciate the position more exactly, it is necessary to study
columns 5 and 6 in the table. In these columns the Total Rate
is divided into the neo-natal death rate, and the death rate among
infants who have survived the first week of life. The neo-natal
death rate is chiefly caused by factors on which environmental
conditions have very little influence, and over which we have, with
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