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
Bromley 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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APPENDIX V.— Analysis of Causes of Infant Deaths, 1921-1925.
| 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Births | 624 | 575 | 578 | 535 | 520 | |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 60 | 74 | 60 | 58 | 58 | |
| Premature Birth | 2 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 31 |
| Respiratory Diseases | 3 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 27 |
| Marasmus & General Debility | 10 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 46 |
| Infectious Disease | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 17 |
| Gastro Enteritis | 6 | 0 | 2 | ... | 2 | 10 |
| Convulsions | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| Other Causes | 13 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 37 |
| Total | 38 | 44 | 35 | 31 | 30 | 178 |
This Table shews that when a high infantile mortality rate occurs a rise also occurs in
the deaths of marasmus and debility at birth which inclines one to the opposite fact
that when the infantile mortality late falls a general improvement is recorded in
the vitality of the new born.
This Table also shews that Premature Birth and congenital debility caused 43 p.c.
of the total infant deaths during the past 5 years and should be taken as an
indication of the great need for antenatal supervision.