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

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West Ham 1949

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]

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STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA,
SITE AND AREA, The County Borough of West Ham lies in the County of Essex within an area
about 4 miles from north to south, and about 2 miles from east to west (4,689 acres). It is
bounded on the north by the Borough of Leyton and the County Borough of East Ham and by East Ham
on the East, on the south by the River Thames, and to the West by the Metropolitan Boroughs of
Poplar and Hackney. The area is flat and low lying varying from 5 to 45 feet above sea level.
POPULATION,, The estimated civilian population in 1949 was 173,700 - this being the same
figure as for 1948.
BIRTH RATE. Live Births. The number of live births during the year was 3,263 (males 1,6|
and females 1,570). This gives a rate of 18.7 per 1,000 total population; the rate for 1948 wa:
21.0. Illegitimate births accounted for 148, or 4„5 per cent of all live births - the rate for
1948 was 4.2.
Stillbirths. There were 66 stillbirths (4l males and 25 females) giving a r;
of 19 per 1,000 total births. This is a slight reduction on the figure of 20 for 1948.
DEATHS. During the year 1,942 (males 1,069 and females 873) West Ham residents died, giv
a crude death rate of 11.1 per 1,000 population. The death rate for England and Wales was 11.7 ;
for the 126 County Borough and Great Towns (including London) 12.5* The causes of death at diff<
periods of life and distinguishing male and female are given in Appendix 1, page 64.
INFANT MORTALITYo The deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 78 (males 46 and
females 32) giving an infantile mortality rate of 23 per 1,000 live births as against 30 for 1941
It is very gratifying to be able to report that this rate is the lowest on record. The rate for
England and Wales was 32 and for the 126 County Borough and Great Towns (including London) 37°
The list of causes of death can be found in Appendix 3, page 66 of this report. The diagram opp<
site this page shows the infantile deaths and stillbirths over the past twenty-two years.
MATERNAL MORTALITY. During the year there were no deaths from puerperal sepsis, and only
1 from other maternal causes. The maternal mortality rate was 0.30 per 1,000 live and stillbirtl
as against a rate of 0.80 for 1948. This rate is the lowest on record* The rate for England ant
Wales was O.98.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES »

The table below shows the incidence of this disease for last few years2-

YearPulmonaryNon-Pulmonary
194222040
194322738
194419533
19^517834
19^617823
19^716724
19^819236
194917336