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16
serious problem, it may well be that taking all the factors concerned
into consideration, the increased incidence of this disease must be
interpreted with caution.

The above table shows that there is a very satisfactory
tendency for deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis to be falling, but
that a similar fall in the number of fresh notifications is not evident
to anything like the same extent. Some would blame the preventive
health services for this discrepancy, and would say that they
are lagging behind the curative side of medicine in this respect,
but it is well to remember present facilities for early diagnosis
cause more cases to be unearthed, and therefore diagnosed early
enough for the best results to be obtained from curative measures.
This underlines the value and importance of the work of the Mass
X-ray units which in so many instances discover cases of pulmonary
tuberculosis before they become a danger either to themselves or
anyone else.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
For the fifth year in succession, it is pleasing to be able to
report that there were no maternal deaths in the Borough.
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The Infant Mortality Rate for the year is 20.6 per 1,000 live
births. Seventeen infants died during 1954 before reaching their
first birthday. Of this number 16 were legitimate and one
illegitimate. Twelve neonatal deaths occurred (under one month
of age).
UNEMPLOYMENT.
I am indebted to the Manager of the Bromley Employment
Exchange for the following information with regard to unemployment
durine 1954 :—