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 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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no separate estimate of the local civil population is included this year. As a result
the figures upon which the vital statistics of three wards of the old parish of
Woolwich are calculated are substantially increased with a corresponding fall in the
birth and death rates.
The estimated population in each of the Wards of the Borough at the middle
of 1932, is shown in the following Table.
TABLE No. 8
| Wards | Population |
|---|---|
| Dockyard | 7,032 |
| St. Mary's | 6,210 |
| River | 11,842 |
| St. George's | 8,426 |
| Burrage | 8,046 |
| Herbert | 8,429 |
| Glyndon | 8,694 |
| St. Margaret's | 12,487 |
| Central | 7,915 |
| St. Nicholas | 13,825 |
| Abbey Wood | 10,804 |
| Well Hall | 13,085 |
| Avery Hill | 12,255 |
| Sherard | 17,850 |
| In the old parishes the estimated populations are therefore:— | |
| Woolwich | 33,510 |
| Plumstead | 70,200 |
| Eltham | 43,190 |
Sickness and Invalidity.
There was no unusual or excessive mortality during the year which calls for any
comment under this head.
Physical Features and General Characteristics of the Area.
In the physical configuration of the Borough the outstanding feature is Shooters
Hill, which rises over 400 feet above sea level. At a little lower level, on the Woolwich
and Plumstead side, there is a well-marked plateau of Woolwich and Plumstead
Commons, due to the erosion of local clay from off the pebble beds. Lower down still
is the level plain of the Thames. Southward, in Eltham and Lee, the land, after
sloping downward from Shooters Hill, rises slightly again in Eltham and then falls
away towards New Eltham and Lee, but rises again as it approaches Chislehurst.
In the main this area is composed of London clay although there is a considerable
amount of sand and gravel in Avery Hill Ward.