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
Shoreditch 1903
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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Deducting the births in the Holborn Union Workhouse, the mothers not being
persons belonging to Shorediteh, the birth-rate was 32.9 per 1,000 inhabitants, as
compared with 28.5 for London. The births in Shorediteh were 1,555 in excess
of the deaths.
A comparison of the birth-rates in the Registration Sub-Districts is contained in
Table VI (see appendix). The birth-rate is a shade less than in 1902. Since 1883 it
has been gradually declining.
MARRIAGES.
The number of marriages registered in Shorediteh during the year was 1,146,
as compared with 1,156 in 1902, 1,073 in 1901, 1,157 in 1900, and 1,295 in 1899.
The number of persons married was at the rate of 196 per 1,000 inhabitants, as compared
with 17.4 per 1,000 for the whole of London.
DEATHS.
The deaths numbered 2,280, and were distributed amongst males and females in the four Registration Sub-Districts as follows:—
| Registration Sub-District. | Males. | Females. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shorediteh South | 182 | 159 | 341 |
| Hoxton New Town | 291 | 300 | 591 |
| Hoxton Old Town | 265 | 234 | 499 |
| Haggerston | 445 | 404 | 849 |
| Total | 1,183 | 1,097 | 2,280 |
The deaths of males were 86 in excess of those of females. The death-rate was
19.6 per 1,000 inhabitants* being 2.7 less than the average for the previous 10 years,
and with the exception of that for the year 1889, which was 19.3 per 1,000, the rate
was lower than it has yet been in Shorediteh going as far back as the year 1856.
The London death-rate was 15.7 and that of England and Wales 15.4 per 1,000. Tables
giving the death-rates and the causes of death at various age periods in Shorediteh
and its four Registration Sub-Districts together with other information bearing upon
the subject are contained in the appendix to this report (Tables I., II., IV., V. VI).
With respect to the Registration Sub-Districts the death-rate was highest in Shorediteh
South and lowest in Haggerston, being 21.5 in the former and 18.4 in the latter. It
is probable that there may have been some connection between the large amount of
rain which fell during the year and the exceptionally low death-rate. The rate was
highest for the year during the first fortnight of April, when a maximum of 26.7 per
1,000 was reached. This was probably associated with the inclement weather which
was experienced during this period, it being very cold for the time of year. The rate
was low from the middle of May to the middle of July, the lowest point reached being
*Corrected for age and sex distribution, the death-rate was 20.0 per thousand.