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
Hendon 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hendon]
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A reference to Table IV. shews that the Death Rate and
Infantile Mortality Rate of Hendon again compare very
favourably with those of England and Wales as a whole and
with those of London, the 105 Great Towns (of which Hendon
is one) and the 155 Smaller Towns.
The following are the Birth Rates, Corrected Death Rates
and Infantile Mortality Rates of Hendon for the last 10
years:-
| Year. | Birth Rate. | Corrected Death Rate. | Infautile Mortality Rate. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1914 | 24.12 | 8.96 | 56 |
| 1915 | 21.23 | 10.44 | 73 |
| 1916 | 19.33 | 10.16 | 67 |
| 1917 | 15.97 | 9.72 | 74 |
| 1918 | 12.09 | 11.67 | 54 |
| 1919 | 15.69 | 9.07 | 73 |
| 1920 | 19.78 | 8.24 | 47 |
| 1921 | 17.9 | 7.9 | 61 |
| 1922 | 17.45 | 9.00 | 45 |
| 1923 | 15.29 | 7.8 | 46 |
The number of deaths from acute infectious diseases is
again very low. Only one death occurred from Scarlet
Fever. This took place in the Isolation Hospital. There
were 5 deaths from Diphtheria, representing a case mortality
of just over 4 per cent. Four of these deaths took place in
the Isolation Hospital out of 92 cases admitted, giving again
a case mortality of just over 4 per cent. for cases admitted
to the hospital. 4 per cent. is regarded as a low case
mortality for Diphtheria.
Heart Disease is again the most important single cause
of death, giving rise to 67 deaths or over 1 /7th of the total
deaths.
This is not a cause of mortality against which direct
measures of prevention can be taken. It is not a single
disease but a group of diseases brought about by many
causes.