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
Brentford and Chiswick 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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Deaths and Death Rate
The Death Rate decreased in 1953 from the 1952 figure of 11,27
to 10.16 after a considerable decrease the previous year from 12.49.
The principal causes of death were:-
| 1953 | 1952 | 1951 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circulatory Disease | 173 | 217 | 195 |
| Heart Disease | 100 | 113 | 155 |
| Cancer | 119 | 128 | 131 |
There is a considerable fall in the number of deaths from each
of the three principal causes, and this is very satisfactory following
the previous year's drop in deaths from heart disease and cancer. It
might be deduced that the pace of living had slowed a little and that
anxiety caused by fear of unemployment and fear of war amongst other
things had lessened, but against this is to be noted a slight rise in
the number of deaths from ulcer of the stomach and duodenum which, sinci|
death from this cause is very unusual, may indicate a much higher
incidence of this illness, in the causation of which anxiety plays nc
small part.
There were no maternal deaths.
Deaths from Tuberculosis are again reduced for the third year in succession and the comparison is as follows:-
| Year | Number of deaths from tuberculosis | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | |
| 1950 | 20 | 14 | 34 |
| 1951 | 11 | 14 | 25 |
| 1952 | 9 | 6 | 15 |
| 1953 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
Poliomyelitis was the cause of one death and whooping cough one.
The total number of deaths from violent causes is reduced for
the third year in succession, i.e.:-
1953 1952 1951 1950
17 21 23 28
Seven residents died through involvement in road accidents.
The ages at death of these cases were:-
Males: 6, 27, 32, 33, 47.
Females: 22, 22.
18