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
Penge 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Penge]
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Deaths .
The crude death rate for the year equalled 20.3 per 1,000 civilian
population, compared with 15.3 for 1943.
Civilian deaths due to war operations totalled 98 or 26.9% of the
deaths registered.
Of the total deaths, 56% were of persons 65 years of age and
over, compared with 58,4% the previous year,
Cancer .
The Cancer death rate per 1,000 civilian population was 1.90,
compared with 2.60 in 1943.
Maternal Mortallty.
There were no maternal deaths from puerperal sepsis or abortion
during the year'. One death occurred whilst the Mother was undergoing
a Caesarian section. This gives a maternal mortality rate of 2.80
per 1,000 live and still births. There were no deaths the previous
year.
Infanti1e Mortallty.
The death rate of infants under one year of age was 107,2 per
1,000 births compared with rate of 41.3 for 1943, this being the
highest rate recorded in the district since 1919, Of the 37 deaths,
17 died before reaching the age of 1 week, seven of whom lived for
only a few hours. I am of opinion that enemy air activity in the
area was a contributory cause in a number of deaths, inasmuch as 10 of
the infants died from congenital defects and 11 from prematurity.
One infant died as a result of war operations.
Eight deaths occurred amongst infants who had attended the Child
Welfare Centre.
Comparative Vital Statistics.
The following table shows the comparative figures for 1944.
| Rate per 1,000 Civilian Population. | Death rate per 1,000 Civilian Population. | Deaths under 1 year per 1,000 live births | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Births | Still Births | |||
| Penge Urban District | 19.3 | 0.67 | 20.3 | 107 |
| England and Wales | 17.6 | 0.50 | 11.6 | 46 |
| 126 County Boroughs and Great Towns including London. | 20.3 | 0.64 | 13.7 | 52 |
| 14 8 Sma11er Town s (resident populations, 25,000 to 50,000 at Census, 1931) | 20.9 | 0.61 | 12.4 | 44 |
| London Administrative County | 15.0 | 0.42 | 15.7 | 61 |
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE AEEA.
Ambulance Facilities.
During the year, the Council's motor ambulance responded to 664
calls; 360 for private removals and 304 for accidents and sudden
illness.
Maternity and Child Welfare Centre.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Centre was held, as before, at
the Council's School Clinic, 17, Oakfield Road, on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and the Ante-Natal and Post-Natal
Clinic on Wednesday mornings and one Monday afternoon in every four
weeks. 2.