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

View report page

Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Beddington and Wallington 1950

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]

This page requires JavaScript

Table: The following table gives the age and cause of death of each infant who died:

The following table gives the age and cause of death of each infant who died:

No.AgeCause of Death
1.3 hoursAsphyxia pallida. Precipitate labour.
1.5 hoursIntra-cranial hemorrhage. Difficult confinement.
l.8 hoursExtreme prematurity.
1.9 hoursPulmonary atelectasis. Prematurity.
l.18 hoursBroncho-pneumonia. Atelectasis.
1.3 daysKernicterus. Hemolytic disease of newborn.
1.3 daysHaemorrhagic broncho-pneumonia due to congenital syphilis.
1.8 monthsGastro-enteritis. Broncho-pneumonia and bilateral mastoiditis.

Table: Comparative table for a typical pre-war year, 1937:

Comparative table for a typical pre-war year, 1937:

NoAgeCause of Death
1.Newly BornAsphyxia, probably caused by a woollen shawl in which child was wrapped.
1.2 hoursInanition. Premature birth.
1.2 hoursCongenital debility. Delivered by cesarean section.
5.2 hoursPrematurity.
12 hours
1 day
1 day
1 week
1.1 dayConvulsions. Cerebral compression, pressure on the head during parturition.
1.1 dayCardiac failure. Primary respiratory failure. Immaturity of development.
1.1 dayCyanosis. Imperfect delivery. Premature birth.
1.1 dayInanition. Premature birth. Albuminuria of pregnancy in mother.
2 daysPrematurity. Multiple birth (twins).
1.3 daysErythro-blastic anemia.
1.6 daysPartial atelectasis. Pyloric stenosis. Peritonitis following laparotomy.
1.1 weekAtelectasis. Premature birth and ante-natal uterine hemorrhage.
1.1 weekHeart failure. Sclerona neonatorum.
1.8 weeksAsphyxia. Suffocation by bedclothes while sleeping with mother.
1.3½ monthsCardiac failure. Asphyxia due to being suffocated by clothes covering the cot.
1.4 monthsMarasmus. Pink disease. Secondary colitis.
1.4 monthsBronchial pneumonia. Gastro enteritis, following operation for hare lip.
1.9 monthsPrimary thrombosis of superior longitudinal sinus.