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
Walthamstow 1910
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
This page requires JavaScript
The following table shows the mortality in the four quarters of the year for the various Wards:—
| 1st Qtr. | 2nd Qtr. | 3rd Qtr. | 4th Qtr. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. James Street | 101 | 58 | 45 | 86 | 290 |
| High Street | 49 | 54 | 36 | 50 | 189 |
| Hoe Street | 51 | 49 | 49 | 59 | 208 |
| Wood Street | 52 | 44 | 34 | 48 | 178 |
| Northern | 87 | 72 | 68 | 94 | 321 |
It will be noticed how closely the figures approximate for all quarters
in Hoe Street. Season has but little influence.
In striking contrast with this are the figures for St. James Street.
The first and fourth quarters mortality greatly exceed the second and
third, showing that want of employment, and unfavourable climatic
conditions are most keenly felt and have the most serious consequences
for the poor. Were the summer unduly hot and dry the mortality in
the third quarter would probably be as unfavourable for the poorer
Ward owing to increased deaths from Diarrhoea among the infants.
The following figures give the total deaths and the deaths of children under 5 years of age from Zymotic or preventable diseases in the five Wards:—
| St. | James St. | High St. | Hoe St. | Wood St. | Northern. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Births | 659 | 565 | 521 | 410 | 1,042 |
| Deaths—Total | 290 | 189 | 208 | 178 | 321 |
| Death-rate | 11.6 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9 6 | 8 |
| Deaths under 5 years from Zymotic diseases | 25 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 28 |
| Percentage of total deaths— | |||||
| For 1910 | 8.6 | 7.3 | 5 | 5 | 8.7 |
| For 1909 | 11.8 | 7.0 | 10.3 | 11.8 | 14.2 |
| For 1908 | 9.7 | 11.7 | 4.5 | 7 | 8 |
| For 1907 | 17.3 | 14.7 | 9.6 | 11.8 | 17.8 |
| For 1906 | 19.6 | 15.9 | 9.5 | 14.1 | 21.5 |
The total deaths are fewer by one-half than in 1909 owing to the
fewer deaths from Measles and Whooping Cough. The Diarrhœal
deaths were similar in number.
INQUESTS.
During the year 113 inquests were held on persons belonging to and
dying within, and 10 upon inhabitants dying without the district.
The ages at which death took place and the causes are as follows:—