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 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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INFANTILE MORTALITY
1938
The Infantile Mortality Rates for the different Wards in the Borough is as follows :—
| Area | Births | Infant Deaths | I.M.R. | Neo-Natal | One week to one year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent House Ward | 107 | 5 | 46.7 | 28.0 | 18.7 |
| Langley Park Ward | 88 | 4 | 45.4 | 45.4 | - |
| Lawrie Park Ward | 77 | 3 | 39.0 | 13.0 | 26.0 |
| Manor House Ward | 94 | 3 | 31.9 | 21.2 | 10.7 |
| West Wickham Ward | 251 | 7 | 27.8 | 11.9 | 15.9 |
| Eden Park Ward | 182 | 5 | 27.5 | 16.4 | 11.1 |
| Shortlands Ward | 82 | 2 | 24.4 | 24.4 | - |
| Copers Cope Ward | 49 | 1 | 20.4 | - | 20.4 |
The wide differences in the rates shown is largely due to the
small numbers contained in the table. Even so, a noteworthy point
is the general reduction in the infant death-rate after the first week
of life.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
It is well known that whilst many other fatality rates have
declined during recent years, the maternal mortality rate for
England and Wales has shown but little alteration, remaining in
the neighbourhood of 4.0 per 1,000 births.
Two maternal deaths occurred in 1938, the cause being :—
(a) Puerperal Sepsis : Peritonitis.
(b) Other Puerperal Disease : Paralytic Ileus.
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