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
Beddington and Wallington 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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The following table shows the principal causes of death with the rate per cent. of total deaths: —
| Cause of Death. | Number of Deaths. | Rate per cent. of Total Deaths. |
|---|---|---|
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 6 | 2.31 |
| Cancer | 58 | 22.31 |
| Cerebral Haemorrhage | 7 | 2.69 |
| Heart Diseases | 60 | 23.08 |
| Other Circulatory Diseases | 15 | 5.77 |
| Pneumonia (all forms) | 10 | 3.85 |
| Nephritis | 13 | 5.00 |
| Suicide | 4 | 1.54 |
| Other forms of Violence | 11 | 4.23 |
It will be seen that Cancer and Heart Disease are still amongst
the deaths ranking high in the Borough. These causes together with
Cerebral Haemorrhage and other circulatory diseases accounted for 140
deaths; followed by Nephritis, 13; Pneumonia, 10; and Pulmonary
Tuberculosis, 6. Violence (including Suicide) accounted for 15 deaths.
HEART DISEASE AND DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY
SYSTEM.
Twenty-nine per cent. of the total deaths belonged to this group
of cases. This is an inevitable consequence of having a great number
of people of advanced age living in the district.
In a great number of the cases the cause of death could be really
described as senility, and this fact is borne out by the estimated age
of death of the majority of the group. Seventy-two per cent. had
attained the age of 65 years or over.
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