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
Barnes 1912
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnes]
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20
Sanitary Circumstances.
Table showing death rates of various age groups. Mortality at different ages.
| DEATHS. | AGE GROUP. | Rate per 1,000 of Population. |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Under 1 year | 1.2 |
| 12 | 1 to 5 years | .3 |
| 15 | 5 to 25 years | .5 |
| 134 | 25 to 65 years | 4.2 |
| 89 | 65 years and upwards | 2.8 |
| 291 | All ages | 90 |
WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply is that of the Metropolitan Water Board—
the supply is constant and sufficient and of good quality. The best
proof of the quality is the fact that Enteric Fever, which is largely
a water-borne disease, is practically non-existent in the district.
The raw Thames water has to be stored so as to allow of
sedimentation and filtration.
Dr. Houston, the director of water examination to the Metropolitan
Water Board, draws the following conclusions with regard
to raw waters, which are—
"1. About 80 per cent. of the London Water Supply is derived
"from sewage-polluted rivers.
"2. As judged by the usual chemical and bacteriological
"standards the raw waters above the " intakes" for waterworks
"purposes, are undoubtedly unsatisfactory in quality, particularly
"during the winter months.
"3. The judicious selection of raw water for waterworks
"purposes becomes an increasingly difficult operation as the