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
Deptford 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford, Metropolitan Borough of]
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Comparative table of infantile deaths from Diarrhoea and Enteritis.
RATE PER 1000 BIRTHS.
| Diarrhoea and Enteritis under two years. | Total deaths under one year. | |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | 8.3 | 80 |
| 96 Great Towns | 10.4 | 85 |
| 148 Smaller Towns | 7.8 | 80 |
| London | 9.5 | 75 |
| Deptford | 11.9 | 79 |
TABLE SHEWING THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN THE BOROUGH DURING THE YEAR 1920
| Births | 3276 |
| Deaths—including those in outlying Public Institutions | 1408 |
| Excess of Births over Deaths | 1868 |
The following is a list of the principal causes of the 259 infantile deaths in the Borough during 1920, viz.:—
| Measles | 3 |
| Whooping Cough | 7 |
| Tuberculosis | 4 |
| Meningitis | 3 |
| Influenza | 1 |
| Bronchitis and Pneumonia | 64 |
| Diarrhœal Diseases | 37 |
| Enteritis and Diseases of Digestive System | |
| Congenital Malformation, Atelectasis, Premature Birth, Debility and Marasmus | 98 |
| Other causes | 42 |
| 259 |
Maternity and Child Welfare Work.
The infant welfare work in the Borough has steadily increased.
Dr. Scarisbrick terminated his duties as Assistant Medical Officer on
the 1st May, and during the summer under my supervision the work
was carried on by Dr. Winifred Buckley and Dr. Annette G. T.
Anderson, who took the afternoon clinics, Dr. Buckley also taking the
morning ante-natal clinic. While this arrangement worked fairly
satisfactorily the Committee considered the increasing work called for