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
Surbiton 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Surbiton]
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12
There was a decrease of 10 illegitimate births
compared with 1937. The figure for 1938 being 29,
composing 17 males and 12 females. This represents
3 47 per cent, of the total births.
In addition, 26 still births occurred, representing
3 02 per cent, of the total births (live and still).
The Still Birth Rate for Surbiton is thus 0.56 per
1,000 population as compared with 0.60 for England
and Wales (Smaller Towns). There were, however,
no maternal deaths.
The total number of cases of Puerperal
Pyrexia and Septicaemia was 8. Of these, six cases
were removed to hospital and two were nursed at
home. No deaths occurred.
Of the 835 live births, only one death of a
mother occurred, the cause of death being given as
Postpartum Haemorrhage following: premature
delivery of twins (6½ months).
The following table shows the number of maternal deaths for the last seven years :—
| Year | No. of Births | No. of Maternal Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 535 | 3 |
| 1933 | 502 | |
| 1934 | 612 | 4 |
| 1935 | 699 | 1 |
| 1936 | 727 | 2 |
| 1937 | 785 | — |
| 1938 | 835 | 1 |
The number of live births occurring in the
Borough was 683 of which 137 were outward
transfers. Also, there were 289 inward transferable
births belonging to Surbiton occurring outside
the district, thus making a total of 835 births.