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
Croydon 1924
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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The following gives a comparison with corresponding infant mortality rates in other areas:—
| 1922. | 1923. | 1924. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant mortality, Croydon | 64 | 52 | 56 | |
| " | 105 large towns, including London | 82 | 72 | 80 |
| " | London | 74 | 60 | 69 |
| " | England & Wales | 77 | 69 | 75 |
The rise in the infant motality in Croydon, in comparison
with that for 1923, was due mainly to an increase in the deaths from
premature birth, from bronchitis, and from pneumonia.
Infant Mortality among illegitimate children.—The infant
mortality among illegitimate children in 1924 (Appendix, Table I.),
was 203, in 1923, 253. The following table summarises the rates for a series of years:—
| Year. | Illegitimate children. | Infant Mortality— | Illegitimate children. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year. | |||
| 1913 | 144 | 1919 | 160 |
| 1914 | 175 | 1920 | 159 |
| 1915 | 188 | 1921 | 111 |
| 1916 | 206 | 1922 | 170 |
| 1917 | 250 | 1923 | 253 |
| 1918 | 122 | 1924 | 203 |
Special Causes of Sickness.
Though there was a considerable increase over the previous
year in the prevalence of respiratory diseases—an increase reflected
in the higher death-rate from pneumonia and from influenza—no
special causes of sickness apart from this call for mention.
NURSING ARRANGEMENTS, CLINICS, HOSPITALS AND
OTHER INSTITUTIONS AVAILABLE IN THE TOWN.
A.—Professional Nursing in the Home.
(i) General.—The Croydon Nursing Service was established
in 1921. It provides a staff of trained nurses to attend the sick at
their homes. The services of the nurses are obtainable either by
joining in an insurance scheme, whereby an annual payment
ensures attendance on husband, wife, and children under 18 years
of age; or through provident clubs; or, on occasion, by the payment
of fees on the ordinary recognised scales.