London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Croydon 1934

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]

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29
Arteriosclerosis (47 deaths) is the second big cause of death in
this group. This is a thickening and diminution in the elasticity
of the walls of the arteries and is an expression either of prolonged
stress or unwise living. Cerebral Haemorrhage, which caused,
incidentally, 186 deaths, is one of the sequelae of Arterio.sclerosis,
combined with excessive blood, pressure. Arterio.sclerosis and
Cerebral Haemorrhage between them caused 233 deaths.
POPULATION.
Explanation of Graphs.
The estimated population is shown by a continuous black line
from 1860 onwards, the letter C denoting a census year. In 1860
Croydon's population was a little over 30,000; in 1931 the census
showed it to have risen to 233,115, whilst for 1934 the estimated
population is 240,600. The growth of Croydon has been rapid
and continuous; even during the war years the increase was not
arrested, whilst since the war its growth has been accelerated.
Such an increase of population gives rise to peculiar health problems,
not the least of which is the inhabitants do not always
appreciate that within a space of 60 years their town has grown
from a village to one of the great and important towns of England.
With the extension of civil aviation, Croydon's importance is likely
to become greater each year. The trend of industrialism to the
south and the relatively low rates are also exerting an influence.