London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report tables

Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Walthamstow 1947

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

Published
1948
Pages
102
Tables
102

This page requires JavaScript

102 tables in this report

  • Page 8
    Extracts from Vital Statistics.—The Registrar-General's mid' year, 1947, estimate of the population (viz., 122,470) has been used for the calculation of all vital statistics:—
    TotalMalesFemales
  • Page 8
    Deaths from puerperal causes:—
    Rate per 1,000 (live and still) births.
  • Page 10
    Diseases in the year 1947. Provisional figures based on weekly and quarterly returns.
    England and Wales.126 County Boroughs and Great Towns (including London)148 Smaller Towns (Resident Population 25,000-50,000 at 1931 CensusLondon Administrative County.Walthamstow.
  • Page 11
    Causes of Death as given by the Registrar-General for the year 1947 Whole District
    Causes of Death.Males.Females.Total.
  • Page 11
    The age distribution of Cancer deaths was as follows:—
    Under l yr.1-2 yrs.2-5 yrs.5-15 yrs.15-25 yrs.25-45 yrs.45-65 yrs.65 yrs. & over
  • Page 12
    Municipal Service.
    Removals.Accidents.Treatment.Maternity.Others.Total.Mileage.
  • Page 12
    Reciprocal A rrangements.—During 1947 the position was as follows:—
    AuthorityIncoming calls.Outgoing calk.
  • Page 13
    Sessions are held at the Town Hall, as follows:—
  • Page 14
    Miss Helen Rodway, F.R .C.O.G., submits the following report:—
    No. of Sessions.No. of Attendances.Total.Average Attendance per Session.
    New Patients.Old Patients.
  • Page 14
    Summary of New Cases:—
    Tuesday afternoon.Saturday morning.Total.
  • Page 14
    Comparison of attendances with previous years:—
    1947.1946.1945.1944.1943.1942.1941.1940.1939.1938.
  • Page 15
    "Below is given a report of the main items of work undertaken during the year, with comparative annual figures since the inception of the service:—
    1944194519461947
  • Page 16
    Below is appended a list of the appliances completed in the dental laboratory during 1947:—
    Municipal Dental ServiceSchool Dental Service
  • Page 16
    Treatment is by appointment only (i.e., through a doctor or through the Health Department).
    Morning 9-12Afternoon 2-5Evening 5.30-8.30
  • Page 17
    Mr. Pegram, Clerk to the Committee, has kindly supplied the following particulars of Walthamstow residents admitted to the various institutions during the year ended 31st December, 1947:—
    InstitutionsMenWomenChildrenTotal
  • Page 17
    "The following figures show the progress of the Hospital during 1947 as compared with the previous year:–
    In-PatientsOut-Patients
    No. AdmittedAverage StayDaily AverageNew CasesAttendances
  • Page 18
    Mr. Pegram, Clerk to the Essex County Council's South-Western Area Guardians' Committee, kindly states that the amount of relief provided in Walthamstow during the two years ended 31st December, 1947, was as follows:—
    19471946
    £s.d.£s.d.
  • Page 18
    4. Public Health Act, 1936.—Nursing Homes:—
    No. of Homes.No. of Patients provided for.
    Maternity PatientsOthers.Totals.
  • Page 20
    Mr. F. W. Kemp, Chief Sanitary Inspector, reports as follows:—
    No. of inspections made.No. of nuisances detected.No. of complaints received.No. of Informal NoticesNo. of Statutory Notices.Total Visits.
    Served.Complied with.Served.Complied with.
  • Page 21
    Special Premises.
    NumberVisits paid
  • Page 27
    " The minimum amount of accommodation required to meet the housing needs as analysed from the list of Housing applications, is as follows : —
    % of Applications
  • Page 28
    The following table gives details of samples taken :—
    Grade.No. of Samples.Results
    Satisfactory.Unsatisfactory in Methylene Blue test only.
  • Page 29
    The following is a comparative summary showing the results of the examination of 37 samples by the old standard test and the new (provisional) test. In the latter, Grades 1 and 2 are considered satisfactory.
    Old Standard TestNew (Provisional) Test
    Plate CountColiform Reaction (in 1/10 ml.)Bacterium coli (in 1/10 ml.)Very satis' factorySatis fac toryNot satis factoryMethylene Blue Test
    Reduction timeGrade
  • Page 30
    Continued from previous page...
    Old Standard TestNew (Provisional) Test
    Plate CountColiform Reaction (in 1/10 ml.)Bactcrium coli (in 1/10 ml.)Very satisfactorySatis factoryNot satis factoryMethylene Blue Test
    Reduction timeGrade
  • Page 34
    Statistics.
  • Page 34
    (c) The year's work of the Rodent Operatives is indicated below: —
    No. of InfestationsNo. of Infestations Cleared.Number reduced Major to Minor.Estimated Kill.
    TreatedRetreated
  • Page 35
    FACTORIES ACT, 1937 The following tables show the work carried out under this Act:— 1.—INSPECTION OF FACTORIES, ETC. Including Inspections Made by Sanitary Inspectors.
    Premises.Number of
    Inspections.Written Notices.Occupiers Prosecuted.
    (1)(2)(3)(4)
  • Page 35
    2.—DEFECTS FOUND IN FACTORIES, ETC.
    Particulars.Number of Defects.Number of offences in respect of which Prosecutions were instituted.
    Found.Remedied.Referred to h.m. Inspector.
  • Page 36
    NUMBER AND TRADES OF OUTWORKERS NOTIFIED DURING 1947
  • Page 36
    Outworkers were notified from the following areas : —
  • Page 36
    F.—PREVALENCE OF, AND CONTROL OVER, INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES General.—The accompanying tables show the age and ward incidence of the various infectious diseases which are discussed separately in later pages of the report
    All ages.Under1-55-1515-2525-4545-6565 &
    19471946l yr.yrs.yrs.yrs.yrs.yrs.over.
  • Page 38
    The rate for Puerperal Pyrexia is better expressed in relation to the number of births (i.e., live and still-births) registered than to population. When calculated on this basis the rate is:-
    Disease.Total notified.Removed to Hospital.Per cent. removed to Hospital.Deaths.Deathsper cent. of cases notified.
  • Page 41
    The following tables show the incidence by months, ages and Wards. The incidence by months and Wards is given below :—
  • Page 42
    It is of interest to compare the incidence of Scarlet Fever in the two halves of 1946/47 over the whole Borough.
    19461947
  • Page 44
    ACUTE ANTERIOR POLIOMYELITIS The total notifications during the year were 24. The incidence by months, ages and wards is shown in the following table :—
    Month.All ages.Under 1 yr.1-5 yrs.5-15 yrs.15-25 yrs.25-45 yrs.45-65yrs.65 & over
  • Page 44
    ACUTE ANTERIOR POLIOMYELITIS The total notifications during the year were 24. The incidence by months, ages and wards is shown in the following table :—
    St. James StreetHigh Street.Hoe Street.Wood Street.Hale End.Higham Hill.
  • Page 45
    OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM Five cases were notified during the year, the details being as follows :—
    SexAgeWardRemoved to HospitalRemarks
  • Page 45
    PNEUMONIA The indidence by months and Wards is given belqw :—
  • Page 45
    ERYSIPELAS The incidence by months and Wards is given below :—
  • Page 46
    CEREBRO SPINAL MENINGITIS Nine cases were notified during the year, the details being as follows :—
    No.Ward.Age.Date notified.Hospital.Remarks.
  • Page 46
    MEASLES The incidence by months and Wards is given below :—
  • Page 47
    WHOOPING COUGH The incidence by months and Wards is given below:—
  • Page 47
    TUBERCULOSIS The following table shows particulars of new cases of tuberculosis and of all deaths from the disease in the Borough during 1947:—
    Age Periods.New Cases.Deaths.
    Pulmonary.Non-Pulmonary.Pulmonary.Non-Pulmonary.
    M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.
  • Page 48
    The returns for the past two years are compared bdow:—
    Year.New Cases.Deaths.
    Pulmonary.Non-Pulmonary.Total.Pulmonary.Non-Pulmonary.Total.
    M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.
  • Page 48
    The period elapsing between notification and death and the number of cases not notified were as follows:—
    Under 3 months.3 to 6 months.6 to 9 months.9 to 12 months.Over 12 months.Not notified.Notified after death.
    Pul.Non-Pul.Pul.Non-Pul.Pul.Non-Pul.Pul.Non-Pul.Pul.Non-Pul.Pul.Non-Pul.Pul.Non-Pul.
  • Page 48
    The table given below shows the number of cases on the register at the beginning and end of 1947:—
    Pulmonary.Total.Non-Pulmonary.Total.Grand Total.
    M.F.M.F.
  • Page 49
    Removals from the Register were made up as follows:—
    Deaths.Removals.
    Pulmonary.Non-Pulmonary.Pulmonary.Non-Pulmonary.
    M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.
  • Page 49
    Treatment of Tuberculosis.—Treatment is given under the Essex County Council's Scheme. The admissions to Hospital during 1947 were as follows:—
    PulmonaryNon-PulmonaryTotal 1947.Total 1946.
    M.F.M.F.
  • Page 49
    G.—INFECTIOUS DISEASES HOSPITAL General.— (i) The death rate per 100 admissions was 3.2.(ii) The following table shows the admissions, discharges and deaths during 1947:—
    Scarlet Fever.Diphtheria.Other Diseases.Tuberculosis.Totals.
  • Page 49
    DAILY AVERAGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL (including Tuberculosis cases)
  • Page 50
    AGE AND SEX OF PATIENTS ADMITTED DURING 1947
    Under 5 years.5-10 years.10-15 years.Over 15 years.Total.Grand Total.
    M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.
  • Page 50
    NUMBER AND NATURE OF OUTSIDE AUTHORITIES CASES ADMITTED DURING THE YEAR
    Measles.Diphtheria.Scarlet WhoopingOthers.Total.
    Fever.Cough.
  • Page 51
    SEX AND AGE AT DEATH Seventeen deaths occurred, details of which are given below:—
  • Page 51
    Duration of Treatment.—The average duration of treatment in hospital was as follows:—
  • Page 52
    The County Medical Officer has kindly furnished the following return of patients treated in the Tuberculosis Pavilion during 1947: —
    Classification in accordance with Ministry of Health Memorandum 37.T. (Rev.)In Hospital on 1st January, 1947.Admitted during year.Discharged during year.Died during year.In Hospital on 31st December, 1947.
  • Page 52
    The Cemetery Superintendent reports that the number of inquests and post-mortems were as follows:—
  • Page 58
    REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS The Registrar-General's returns show the following registrations during the calendar year:—
    (a) Live Births.Males.Females.Totals.
  • Page 58
    Of the 2,489 local registrations, 163 belonging to other areas are excluded, leaving a nett total of 2,326.
    St. James Street.High Street.Hoe Street.Wood Street.Hale End.Higham Hill.Total.
    M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.M.F.
  • Page 58
    The following figures show the registrations of births during the past 18 years :—
  • Page 59
    DAY NURSERIES The following table shows the average attendances at the Nurseries during 1947 (Mondays to Fridays only).
    Month.Nurseries.Over 2 yrs.Under 2 yrs.Total.
  • Page 60
    INFANT MORTALITY The deaths of infants under one year were:—
    Males.Females.Totals.
  • Page 60
    The Infant Mortality Rate for other areas during 1947 was as follows:—
  • Page 61
    SOME STATISTICS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES AND WALTHAMSTOW
    PeriodPopulationPer 1,000 populationInfant Mortality per 1,000 Live BirthsStill Birth Rate per 1,000 Total (Live and Still) BirthsMaternal Mortality Rate
    DeathRateBirthRateUnder one monthOne month to one yr.Total
    E.W.W.E.W.W.E.W.W.E.W.W.E.W.W.E.W.W.E.W.W.E.WW.
  • Page 62
    Infant Deaths, Neo-Natal Mortality and Stillbirths
    Year.Live Births.Birth Rate.Stillbirths.Neo-Natal Deaths.Infant Deaths.
    No.Per 1,000 live births.Per 1,000 population.No.Per 1,000 live births.No.Per 1,000 live births.
    W'stow.England & Wales.
  • Page 64
    Illegitimate Births and Mortality
    Year.Live Births.Infant Deaths.Death Rates.
    Legitimate.Illegitimate.Legitimate.Illegitimate.Legitimate.Illegitimate.
  • Page 64
    Miss Williams, Superintendent of the Home provided by the Walthamstow Branch of the Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association, states that the number of cases dealt with were as follows:—
  • Page 65
    CAUSES OF DEATH OF CHILDREN UNDER 1 YEAR OF AGE
    Under 1 week.1-2 weeks.2-3 weeks.3-4 weeks.Total deaths under 4 weeks.4 weeks and under 3 months.3 months and under 6 months.6 months and under 9 months.9 months and under 12 months.Total deaths under 1 year.St. James St.High Street.Hoe Street.Wood Street.Hale End.Higham Hill.Total.
  • Page 67
    From the above table it will be seen that of 2,674 children, 2,131 or 79.7% were breast fed on first being visited, and 15 or 0.56% had no separate sleeping accomodation. 513 infants lived in accomodation of three rooms or less, as compared with 334 in 1946.
    How Fed.Sleeping Arrangements.Condition of Baby.Accommodation.
    BreastBreast & HandHandWith MotherCot or CradleGoodFairBadWhole houseFlatHalf houseThree roomsTwo roomsOne room
  • Page 68
    The following table shows the number and nature of visits paid during 1947:-
    Ward.Visits to Children under 1 year.Visits to Children 1-5 years.Grand Total.Unsuccessful Visits.Visits to Nurse Children.Ante-Natal Visits.Other Visits.Total Visits.
    First.Subsequent visits.Total.First Visits.Subsequent Visits.Total Visits.
    1234567——89Cols. 5-9
  • Page 69
    New Patients:—
    Ante-Natal.Post-Natal.
  • Page 69
    Total Attendances:—
    Ante-Natal.Post-Natal.
  • Page 70
    Summary of Attendances at Welfare Clinics
    Clinic.First Attendances of New Cases.Re-attendances.Grand Total.
    Under 1 yr. of age.1-5 yrs. of age.Total.Under 1 yr. of age.1-5 yrs. of age.Total.
  • Page 70
    The following is the information required by Circular 2790 of the Ministry of Health with regard to the Adoption of Children (Regulation) Act, 1939:—
  • Page 71
    Continued from previous page...
  • Page 71
    Sale of Milk, etc., at Clinics.—The quantity and value of milk and food sold and issued free during 1947 was as follows:—
    SalesFree Issue
    lbs.ozs.lbs.ozs.
  • Page 72
    Continued from previous page...
    SalesFree Issue
    lbs.ozs.lbs.ozs.
  • Page 72
    Clinics
    First Attendances of New Cases.Re-attendances.Grand Total.
    Under 1 yr.1-5 yrs.Total.Under 1 yr.1-5 yrs.Total.
  • Page 73
    Home Visits
    Visits to Children under 1 year.Visits to Children 1-5 years.Grand Total.
    First.Subsequent.Total.
  • Page 73
    The following tables give the total number of attendances at clinics and home visits : — Attendances at Clinics
    First Attendances.Re-attendances.Grand Total.
    Under 1 year of age.1-5 years of age.Total.Under 1 year of age.1-5 years of age.Total.
  • Page 73
    The percentage of first attendances of children under 1 year of age at Child Welfare Centres to the number of notified live births was 100 .3. Home Visits
    To Children under 1 year of age.To Children 1-5 years of age.Total.
    First.Subsequent.Total.
  • Page 74
    (b) Dental.—-The following work has been done by the Education Authority's Dental Surgeons in respect of Maternity and Child Welfare patients :—
    Mothers.Children under 5.
  • Page 77
    CONFINEMENTS
    193919401941194219431944194519461947
  • Page 78
    HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION FOR CONFINEMENTS The following numbers of confinements occurred at the Institutions specified (Walthamstow residents only) :—
    19471946
  • Page 79
    " The following cases were attended during the year 1947 :
    Municipal.Voluntary.Total.
  • Page 81
    MUNICIPAL MIDWIFERY AND MATERNITY SERVICE The table below shows the number of visits done :—
    Ante-Natal Visits.Deliveries.Lying-in Visits.Total Visits.
    Patients' Homes.Midwife's House.Clinic.Mid.Mat.
  • Page 81
    1 The peak months for bookings were October and November, 1946, and it will be noted that bookings have steadily declined throughout the current year.
    Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.MayJuneJulyAug.Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec.
  • Page 82
    The Registrar-General has issued the following rates with regard to the notification of Puerperal Pyrexia. The Walthamstow rates are set out in comparison.
    Area.Per 1,000 live and still births.
    Puerperal Fever.Puerperal Pyrexia.
  • Page 82
    The notifications and rates for Walthamstow for the past five years have been as follows : — Per 1,000 Total Births (live and still) Puerperal Pyrexia
    Year.No.Rate.
  • Page 82
    OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM The number of cases notified during the last two years were:—
    Year.Totals.St. James Street.High Street.Hoe Street.Wood Street.Hale End.Higham Hill.
  • Page 83
    DEATHS DUE TO PREGNANCY AND CHILD BEARING AND/OR ASSOCIATED THEREWITH DURING 1947
    Case No.Date of Death.Certified Cause of Death and Classification.Age.Ward.
  • Page 83
    The following table shows the maternal mortality rates for 1947 :—
    Births. Registered.Deaths of Women due to Pregnancy and Child-Bearing.
    WALTHAMSTOW.England and Wales.
    Puerperal Sepsis. (Heading 29 R.G.)Other Puerperal Causes. (Heading 30 R.G.)TotalRates per 1,000 Births registered.Rates per 1,000 Births registered.
    Puerperal Sepsis.Other Puerperal Causes.Total.Puerperal Sepsis.Other Puerperal Causes.Total.
  • Page 83
    The following table sets out the maternal mortality, stillbirth and neo-natal death rates for the past five years: —
    Rate (per 1,000 live births).1947.1946.1945.1944.1943.
  • Page 84
    The maternal mortality rates (per 1 ,000 total births) for the past five years have been as follows: —
    Year.Total Births Registered.Deaths.Rates per 1,000 Births. (Live and Still)
    Puerperal Sepsis.Other Puerperal Causes.Total.Puerperal Sepsis.Other Puerperal Causes.Total.
  • Page 87
    SUMMARY OF THE WORK OF THE HOSPITAL Clinic Attendances— (A) Ante-Nata! Clinics :
    No. of Clinics held.No. of attendances.Average attendance per session.
  • Page 87
    (B) Post-Nata! Clinics :
    No. of Clinics held.No. of attendances.Average attendance at each session.
  • Page 89
    COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR CONFINEMENTS AND CLINIC ATTENDANCES From May, 1934, until 31st December, 1947
    19471946194519441943194219411940193919381937193619351934
  • Page 92
    Premature Infants.—For statistical reports a premature infant is taken as one weighing 5½ lbs. or 'less. This is an international standard.
    Infants born in Thorpe Coombe.Infants born at home.
  • Page 92
    Breast Feeding.—On discharge from Thorpe Coombe at 10 to 12 days, 79.6 per cent, of mothers were feeding their infants, 16.25 per cent, partly breast feeding, while 4.15 per cent of infants were fed on dried cows' milk.
    19471946194519441943194219411940
  • Page 92
    FOETAL AND INFANT MORTALITY
    (a) Stillbirths.Number of cases
    54 lbs or lessOver 5 ½ lbs
    MaceratedRecentMacer atedRecentTotal
  • Page 93
    The total stillbirth rate was 2.4 per cent.
    (b) Infant Deaths.Number of cases.
    5½ lbs. or less.Over 5½lbs.Total.
  • Page 93
    There were in addition six deaths of infants admitted after birth from the District — five premature and one which weighed over 54 lbs.
    Number of cases.
    5 ½ lbs. or less.Over 5½ lbs.Total.
  • Page 94
    Apparent Causes of Pyrexia.
    No. of cases.Percentage of cases relative to total of 20.