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
Woolwich 1922
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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TABLE No. 17.
| Year. | No. of Births. | Infantile Mortality Rate. | Infant Deaths. | Total Number Infant Deaths under 4 weeks | Total Number under 4 weeks per 1,000 births. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905 | 3549 | 103 | 366 | 130 | 37 |
| 1906 | 3524 | 111 | 391 | 146 | 41 |
| 1907 | 3295 | 111 | 372 | 140 | 42 |
| 1908 | 3082 | 95 | 292 | 116 | 38 |
| 1909 | 2937 | 82 | 240 | 87 | 30 |
| 1910 | 2844 | 84 | 241 | 104 | 37 |
| 1911 | 2814 | 98 | 273 | 92 | 33 |
| 1912 | 2747 | 73 | 201 | 90 | 33 |
| 1913 | 2876 | 80 | 229 | 92 | 32 |
| 1914 | 2824 | 84 | 239 | 97 | 34 |
| 1915 | 2815 | 95 | 268 | 81 | 30 |
| 1916 | 3074 | 70 | 215 | 104 | 34 |
| 1917 | 2698 | 79 | 214 | 89 | 33 |
| 1918 | 2578 | 104 | 268 | 109 | 42 |
| 1919 | 2737 | 86 | 235 | 117 | 43 |
| 1920 | 3658 | 61 | 224 | 101 | 28 |
| 1921 | 3197 | 62 | 197 | 72 | 23 |
| 1922 | 2941 | 62 | 184 | 87 | 29 |
| Total | 51190 | 86 | 4649 | 1854 | 34 |
As will be seen from the above table, in 1920 the number
of deaths under 4 weeks per 1,000 births was 28; in 1921
it was 23, and in 1922 it was 29. These figures seem to
suggest that an improvement in the infantile mortality rate
of the first four weeks is taking place and this is significant
because it is well known that this is the most dangerous
month in an infant's life. The chief causes of death in this
period were premature birth, 46; debility and marasmus, 9;
congenital malformation, 9.
Table No. 18 shows the deaths under 1 year, classified by
age 'and cause, for the year 1922.