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The deaths of non-Southall residents in the St. Bernard's Hospital (not included
in the above figures) numbered 135 (males 47 and females 88).
For the distribution of deaths in the various Wards see Appendix Table IV, and
for the comparison of general birth and death rates and rates of maternal mortality, see
Appendix Table V.
Births and Birth Rate (figures for 1943 are given in brackets).
The total number of births notified to the Health Department under the Public
Health Act, 1936, was 1,049 (922). The total number of registered births in the district
(under the Births and Deaths Registration Act—included in the notified births above)
was 449 (422). The total number of live births belonging to the district whether
occurring within or outside the district was 914 (830). The illegitimate live births were
55 (39). There were 21 stillbirths (25), and these were legitimate, with two exceptions.
The birth rate in the Borough has risen every year since 1941. These have been
1418 in 1941; 16 26 in 1942. This increase was maintained in 1944 and the birth (live
and still) rate of 19.09 was the highest recorded in this Borough since 1920, when the figure
was 23 4. Interesting figures for comparison are the birth rate in 1891=40.9; 1901=34.3;
1911=29.2; 1921 = 18.8.
The corresponding rate for the whole country in 1944 was 17.6.
The table below gives the analysis of the places of confinement. The monthly
registration of births classified in Wards is given in Appendix Table VI. Details of
abnormalities in confinements during 1944 are to be found in Appendix Table XI.
Total Confinements (live births and still births), 935.
No. born in Hillingdon County Hospital 280 or 30%
No. born in London voluntary hospitals 46 or 5%
No. born in nursing homes or other hospitals 311 or 33%
No. confined in their homes by midwives or doctors 298 or 32%
Infant Mortality.
The total number of deaths under one year of age was 42. The rate per 1,000
live births was 45.9. The corresponding rate for England and Wales was 46, for London 61,
and for the 148 small towns 44 per 1,000.
The infant mortality rate was markedly less for 1944. This rate has decreased
since 1938 by a greater or less amount annually, but the 1944 figure brings the infant
mortality rate below the corresponding rate for the whole of England and Wales. This
is highly satisfactory in an industrial and overcrowded area of the nature of Southall.
The comparative figure of London's infant mortality, i.e., 61, is worthy of note.
For details of causes of death of infants in the year, see Appendix Table VII.
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality.
During the year 14 cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified, but no maternal death
and no deaths associated with abortion.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN THE BOROUGH.
Nursing in the Home.
General Nursing.
The local District Nursing Association provides three nurses in the district for the
home nursing of cases of ordinary sickness and accidents.
During 1944 the total number of visits made by the nurses was 9,000. A certain
number of these patients were referred to the Nursing Association from the Maternity
and Child Welfare Clinics.
The Council makes a monetary grant towards the service generally, and a specific
grant per visit to toddlers treated under the Maternity and Child Welfare scheme.
Infectious Disease (Measles).
The Health Visitors act if need be as nurses in the case of measles outbreaks. Nq
call was made on their services during the year.
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