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 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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It will thus be seen that in spite of all that has been done to safeguard the health
of the young child a great deal of work still remains, and the efficiency of that work
as it affects the pre-school child will be reflected in an improvement in years to come
on figures such as those given above.
REPORT ON MATERNAL CARE IN SHOREDITCH.
In view of the continued high rate of maternal mortality which is general all
over the country, it has been considered advisable to review the position as it exists
in Shoreditch with particular reference to the facilities existing for maternal cartbefore,
during, and after confinement. For this purpose, a series of 1,000 consecutive
confinements occurring in the Borough during 1928 has been investigated, and the
information gathered is set out in this memorandum.
Those due to puerperal fever are shown separately from those due to other diseases and accidents associated with child birth, but it should be remembered that many cases of puerperal fever have their origin in the " accidents " of childbirth :—-
| Year. | England and Wales. | London. | Shoreditch. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths from Sepsis, per 1,000 live births. | Deaths from other diseases and accidents of Pregnancy. | Total. | Deaths from Sepsis, per 1,000 live births. | Deaths from other diseases and accidents of Pregnancy. | Total. | Deaths from Sepsis, per 1,000 live births. | Deaths from other diseases and accidents of Pregnancy. | Total. | |
| 1927 | 1.56 | 2.54 | 4.10 | 1.31 | 1.59 | 2.90 | 0.91 | 0.47 | 1.38 |
| 1926 | 1.60 | 2.52 | 4.12 | 1.61 | 1.74 | 3.35 | 149 | 1.2 | 2.4 |
| 1925 | 1.56 | 2.52 | 4.08 | 1.42 | 1.77 | 3.19 | 0.76 | 2.24 | 3.04 |
| 1924 | 1.39 | 2.51 | 3.90 | 1.24 | 1.84 | 3.08 | 0.39 | 3.2 | 3.59 |
| 1923 | 1.30 | 2.51 | 3.81 | 1.37 | 1.52 | 2.89 | 0.0 | 1.41 | 1.41 |
| 1922 | 1.38 | 2.43 | 3.81 | 1.36 | 1.48 | 2.84 | 1.02 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| 1921 | 1.38 | 2.53 | 3.91 | 1.42 | 1.56 | 2.98 | 1.34 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| 1920 | 1.81 | 2.52 | 4.33 | 1.78 | 1.60 | 3.38 | 1.34 | 0.53 | 1.83 |
| 1919 | 1.67 | 2.70 | 4.37 | 1.88 | 1.85 | 3.73 | 1.75 | 2.18 | 3.93 |
It will thus be seen that the total maternal mortality rate of Shoreditch is
considerably lower than that of England and Wales, and compares very favourably
with that of London.
Care during Confinement.—The importance of proper education of the doctor
and midwife cannot be exaggerated, and has been recognised by the proper authorities.
It may be pointed out, however, that childbirth cannot be separated into a watertight
compartment and considered as a local condition, but must be considered as interacting
with other bodily conditions. The midwife, therefore, with her limited
training, cannot be given entire charge of the whole process—the responsibility that
the mother shall come through the confinement with her general health unimpaired
is too great. It is becoming recognised that the ordinary function of the midwife is