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
St James's 1872
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St James's, Westminster]
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31
year and under four years. Thus, in 1870, 226
children under one year died; in 1871, 164; and in
1872 only 149. Of children above one year and
under five, there died in 1870, 112; in 1871, 95;
and in 1872 only 86. The death rate of childhood
is perhaps the best test of the healthiness of a
district, and the diminishing ratio of death amongst
the young an indication of the improved sanitary
condition of a district.
I put down some of the lowest and highest of these death rates of children under one year, from the Registrar General's Return for 1872.
| Per centage of Deaths to Births. | Per centago to Deaths. | |
|---|---|---|
| London | 15.9 | 26.3 |
| Portsmouth | 14.6 | 21.3 |
| Liverpool | 22.2 | 31.7 |
| Leicester | 22 8 | 35.0 |
| Bristol | 15.1 | 24.3 |
| Saint James, Westminster | 17.5 | 24.1 |