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
Stepney 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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97
Whooping Cough.— The number of deaths was 14, or 8 less than in the
previous year. All of these occurred in children under 5 years of age (6 of
them under 1 year).
The death rate was .06 per 1,000 of the population.
Diarrhoea.— There were 48 deaths, 58 less than in the previous year.
36 of these deaths, or 75.0 per cent., were in children under 1 year of age.
The death rate was .2 per 1,000 of the population.
Zymotic Diseases.— The total deaths from diseases of a Zymotic character
was 70, or 122 less than in the previous year. They include all deaths from
Small Pox, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Typhoid Fever, Measles, Whooping
Cough and Diarrhoea.
The death rate was .3 per 1,000 of the population.
Influenza.— The number of deaths was 73, or 57 more than in the previous
year. As usual these occurred in elderly persons. The death-rate for the
whole Borough was .35 per 1,000 of the population.
Cancer.—-The number of deaths from cancer was 331, or 27 more than
in the previous year. The death-rate for the whole Borough was 1.6 per
1,000 of the population.
31 were under 45 years of age—15 males and 16 females.
137 were between 45 and 65 years of age—76 males and 61 females.
114 were between 65 and 75 years of age—67 males and 47 females.
49 were 75 years of age and over—23 males and 26 females.
The organs and parts of the body affected were as follows:—
| Male. | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Mouth, Throat and alimentary canal | 32 | 8 |
| Other abdominal organs | 77 | 59 |
| Generative organs | — | 13 |
| Breast ... | — | 19 |
| Skin | — | 1 |
| Lung and Pleura | 20 | 5 |
| Bones ... | 3 | 1 |
| Other specified Organs | 47 | 43 |
| Other undefined | 2 | 1 |
| Totals | 181 | 150 |
Heart Disease.— There were 784 deaths from Heart disease (408 males
and 376 females) or 4 less than in the previous year. The death-rate for the
whole Borough was 3.8 per 1,000 of the population.
Diseases of the Respiratory Organs.— The number of deaths from diseases
of the Respiratory Organs (excluding Tuberculosis) was 262 or 6 less than
in the previous year. The death-rate for the whole Borough was 1.2 per
1,000 of the population.
Scabies.— The arrangements with Bethnal Green for the treatment of
adults and with the London County Council for the treatment of children
under school age were continued. During the year 152 adults were sent to
Bethnal Green and 304 children were treated at the L.C.C. Bathing Station.