Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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In only four of these deaths was haemoptysis mentioned in the
certificate; but as in several other instances hemorrhage from the lungs
was given as the only cause of death, in all probability some of them
were cases of Phthisis; but, as no mention was made of this disease, I
I have classed them under the heading of "other diseases of the
respiratory system."
The total deaths from the tubercular group of diseases formed 13.7
per cent. of the total deaths from all causes, a mortality of 3.3 per
thousand population.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISEASE.
Fifty-eight children died through being prematurely born. In five
others the lungs never expanded properly. Fifteen came into the
world so deformed as to be unable to continue a separate existence for
more than a limited period, though one child born without a brain (or
rather with only a very small portion of one), did not die till 13 hours
after its birth. Nine had deformed hearts (one child born in this
condition fourteen years ago died of Phthisis). Two had cleft palates
and one imperforate anus.
DISEASES OF THE NEEVOUS SYSTEM.
( Vide Table IV.)
This group of diseases was responsible for 356 deaths—a very large
proportion : 137 were caused by Convulsions. These, except three
were amongst young children, of whom 96 were infants. The
convulsive diseases of infants—a group which includes those just
mentioned—and also the deaths from Hydrocephalus, Infantile Meningitis,
and Dentition, caused 143 deaths, a mortality of 27.2 per thousand
births, 16½ Per cent. of the total infantile mortality.
RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
Exclusive of Phthisis, the deaths from this group of diseases were
665, a mortality of 5.1 per thousand population, or 21.4 per cent. of
the total deaths from all causes.
The following table shews the pulmonary deaths distributed over
the four quarters, and also indicates the mean temperature of each and
of the whole year.