However, using such data means, for example, merging Lancaster with a substantial part of modern Salford. We are therefore exploring the more limited data for all individual local government districts published in the Registrar General's Statistical Review . The example below shows the infant mortality ratio for the five northernmost counties in the late 1920s. This figure has been restated as a percentage and mapped here. As with the previous map, it shows high mortality rates concentrated into the Tyneside conurbation, but note also high rates in rural mining areas.
Relevant data is hard to find and generally problematic.
The Poor Law system did provide relief to the sick, and by the early 20th century they were separately tabulated. The map below uses Poor Law Union-level data taken from the Local Government Board's returns to Parliament. However, Poor Relief was offered on essentially penal terms, and arguably only a relatively small fraction of the total population would ever have considered applying for assistance, whatever their health. This map may therefore mainly record areas in which a high proportion of the population would consider applying. The least problematic source of information on patterns of sickness pre-1914 are the records of early sickness insurance schemes, operated by trade unions and friendly societies.