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
Kingston upon Thames 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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(b) (ii) Infant Mortality.
The following are the numbers of Kingston children who died in the Borough before reaching the age of one year, together with the cause of death and age:
| Year | Total | Cause of Death | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | 0-24 hrs. | 7 | 4 Prematurity. 2 Atelectasis. 1 Torn Tentorium Cerebelli. |
| 1944 | 24 hrs. - 1 mth. | 9 | 7 Prematurity. 1 Gastro Enteritis, 1 Broncho pneumonia. |
| 1944 v . \ | 1 mth, - 1 yr. | 12 | 2 Prematurity. 4 Pneumonia, Broncho and Lober. 4 Acute Gastro Enteritis. 1 Gangrene of Bowels 1 Tuberculous meningitis. |
The approximate infant mortality rate for 1944 is as follows, and in addition the rates for 1940 to 1943 (inclusive) arc shown for comparative purposes:-
| 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston upon Thames | 55 | 57 | 63 | 48 | 48 |
| England and Wales | 55 | 59 | 49 | 49 | 46 |
| London Area | 50 | 68 | 60 | 58 | 61 |
The Infant Mortality rate of 48 is the same as for
1943. It is slightly higher than the figure 46 for
England and Wales, and lower than the figure 61 for London
Area, I am convinced that further improvement in this
figure is possible as application of improved methods of
caring for premature infants become possible, and prevention
of infection in the first year is more successful.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Two cases were notified during 1944. Special arrangements
have boon made for the admission of serious cases to
Swanley L.C.C. Hospital, Kent, but it was not necessary to
use this service during the year.