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

Deptford 1917

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford]

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8
Infantile Mortality.
The deaths amongst infants under the age of one year numbered
239, the infantile mortality rate being equivalent to 102 per 1000 births
as compared with 88 per 1000 in the previous year. This increased
mortality can be chiefly traced to the severe epidemic of measles which
occurred in the earlier part of the year. The deaths are not to be
looked for as occurring in the course of the disease itself, but are
rather to be found amongst the complications, such as Bronchitis and
Pneumonia, which occur later.

Table: The following table shows the mortality among infants in the various wards:—

The following table shows the mortality among infants in the various wards:—

Ward.Births Registered.Deaths under 1 year of age.Infantile Mortality per 1000 Births.
East Ward50380159
North Ward5575496
North-West Ward56057101
Southward2091152
South-East Ward2292296
South-West Ward2711555

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I submit a list of the principal causes of the 239 infantile deaths in
the Borough during 1917, viz.:—
Whooping Cough 10
Measles 6
Tuberculosis 14
Meningitis, non-tuberculous 4
Convulsions 4
Bronchitis and Pneumonia 63
Diarrhceal Diseases 8
Enteritis and Diseases of.Digestive System 21
Syphilis 2
Congenital Malformation, Atelectasis, and
Injury at Birth 9
Debility and Marasmus 27
Premature Birth 33
Other causes 38
239