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
Merton and Morden 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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TABLE VII.
| Year | Infant Mortality Rate | Stillbirth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1944 | 28.7 | 22.09 |
| 1945 | 33.1 | 24.6 |
| 1946 | 22.2 | 23.9 |
| 1947 | 30.4 | 21.1 |
| 1948 | 24.8 | 18.9 |
| 1949 | 24.3 | 14.01 |
| 1950 | 11.73 | 18.83 |
| 1951 | 14.94 | 12.48 |
| 1952 | 17.3 | 20.3 |
| 1953 | 13.8 | 19.2 |
PREMATURE BABIES.
There were 45 premature births notified during the year;
only one of these babies failed to survive one month.
Below is a summary of the notifications:—
(a) At home 4
(b) In hospital 41
The number of those born at home:—
(a) Who were nursed entirely at home 4
(b) Who died during the first 24 hours 1
(c) Who survived at the end of one month 3
The number of those born in hospital:—
(a) Who died during the first 24 hours
(b) Who survived at the end of one month 41
ACCIDENTS AT HOME
During the latter part of the year a Home Safety Council
was formed in the district, its object being " to endeavour to
be of practical means of help to the people of Merton and
Morden and to bring to their notice by means of propaganda
the importance of measures to reduce accidents in the home."
This is an independent body which owes its formation,
primarily, to a suggestion by one of the local Residents' Associations;
it consists of representatives from the majority of
the Local Associations and three representatives from the
District Council. On invitation, the Gas Board and Electricity
21