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
Brentford 1898
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford]
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The next table shows the destribution of the mortality in the three districts of the town druing the last 10 years.
| 1889 | 1890 | 1891 | 1892 | 1893 | 1894 | I895 | 1896 | 1897 | 1898 | Average for 10 years. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. George's | 16.7 | 19.8 | 18.5 | 22.1 | 16.2 | 16.1 | 17.7 | 21.3 | 17.8 | 23.2 | 18.9 |
| St. Paul's | 18.8 | 18.1 | 17.2 | 20.3 | 18.9 | 14.4 | 15 | 16.9 | 13.7 | 18 | 17.1 |
| New Brentford | 14 | 22.5 | 22.2 | 21,3 | 22.8 | 7.5 | 17.1 | 21.1 | 17.2 | 20.7 | 19.6 |
Infant Mortality.—The rate of this mortality or the proportion of deaths under
1 year of age to every 1000 births is 223.7. This is most unsatisfactory and can only
be accounted for by the large number of children who have died during the year from
whooping cough, diarrhoea and diseases of the respiratory organs all of which are
most fatal if neglected. The unfortunate necessity which compels mothers to leave
infants in charge of young children whilst they go to work in the laundry or the
fields cannot be other than highly dangerous to babies, for they are certain to be
neglected, and it is truly a case of ' the survival only of the fittest.' The only remedy
I can suggest for this sad state of things is education.
The following table gives the rate and average of infant mortality for the last 10 years.
| 1889 | 1890 | 1891 | 1892 | 1893 | 1894 | 1895 | 1896 | 1897 | 1898 | Average for 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 134.9 | 152.3 | 178.1 | 197.1 | 184.8 | 162.4 | 154.5 | 184.9 | 144 | 223.7 | 171.6 |
The following are the deaths from the 8 principal Zymotic Diseases: —
Small Pox.—There has been no case of this disease, and it is over 10 years
since there was a death from it. Statistics however clearly prove that before the
era of vaccination this most loathsome and deadly disease was rampant, and I cannot
too seriously advise parents to have their children properly vaccinated and also to see
that re.vaccination is performed in youth.
Measles.—There have been only 6 deaths from this disease all in children under
5 years old.
Scarlet Fever.—This year, as last, there has been one death from this disease,
which occurred in a child of 2 years, in June, at the Isolation Hospital.
Diphtheria and Membranous Croup.—The former disease caused 2 deaths in
December, in children, and the latter 2 deaths in May.
Typhus Fever.—There has been no case of this disease this year.
Whooping Cough.—In the first three months of the year there was a serious
epidemic of this disease, which was principally confined to the parishes of St. George
and St. Paul. It caused 26. deaths, all of which were in young children, and the
majority were infants There is a widespread be,lief amongst all classes that the
proper treatment for whooping cough is taking the patient out of doors in all weathers.
I wish to point out that this is entirely wrong. The child should be kept in a warm
room, and so avoid, as far as possible, the risk of lung complications, which are so
common and so dangerous.
Typhoid Fever. — Again as last year there have been only 2 deaths from this disease
1 in March and 1 in November. The continued immunity which the town enjoys
from this disease must be a source of congratulation to all.