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 1939
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]
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MATERNAL MORTALITY.
No deaths occurred during the year under review, directly or
indirectly associated with child-birth.
It is very gratifying to be able to record this fact, which reflects
credit on all persons and institutions associated with the care of midwifery
in the Borough.
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The number of deaths registered during the year in infants under
one year of age was 16 (10 males and 6 females), all but two being in
legitimate childen. This gives an infantile mortality rate of 40.30 per
1,000 live births, as compared with 30.85 in 1938 and 50.0 for England
and Wales.
The rate is considerably lower than that for the country as a
whole, and those services dealing with the preservation of infant life
are to be congratulated.
Only 16 deaths of infants under one year were registered out of
a total of 394 live births.
This rate is often taken as an index of the general health and
prosperity of the district as a whole.
The following table gives the age and cause of death of each infant who died:—
| Age. | Cause of Death. |
|---|---|
| 10 minutes | Premature birth (6 months). Twin. |
| 1 day | |
| 3 hours | White asphyxia. Circulation through cord arrested at birth. |
| 5 hours | White asphyxia and prematurity. |
| 8 hours | Respiratory failure. Partial atelectasis. |
| 11 hours | Prematurity. |
| 19 hours | |
| 1 day | |
| 2 days | |
| 1 week | |
| 1 week | Syncope. Congenital heart disease; 6 weeks premature. |
| 3 weeks | Debility. Prematurity. |
| 3 weeks | Pneumonia-broncho. |
| 2 months | Marasmus. Natural causes. |
| 3 months | Acute broncho-pneumonia. |
| 6 months | Meningitis. Spina bifida. Hydrocephalus. |