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4
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF CHELSEA
TELEPHONE: Public Health Department,
FLAxman 8101 Town Hall,
King's Road,
CHELSEA, S.W.3.
July, 1961
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea.
Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my Annual Report on the health
and environmental circumstances of the Borough during the year 1960.
It was estimated by the Registrar-General that the mid-year
population was 4.9,140, or 380 less than the total for 1959 (49,520)
thus continuing the decline which has been apparent since 1950.
During the year 697 live births were recorded, giving a birth
rate of 14.2 per 1,000 of the population. In the preceding year
there were 722 live births which represented a birth rate of 14.6.
For the current year the employment of an "area comparability factor"
gave a birth rate of 10.8.
During the same period 729 deaths were registered, thus indicating
a death rate of 14.8 per 1,000 of the populationo In 1959 there were
726 deaths representing a death rate of 14.7. The application of an
"area comparability factor" showed the current death rate to be 11.5,
a return identical to that of England and Wales as a whole. In
common with the past 6 years, none of the deaths recorded were associated
with pregnancy or childbirth. Infant mortality was at the same level
as in 1959•
The "area comparability factor" is a means of making allowance for
the differing age and sex distribution of different populations. After
the application of this factor, the corrected rate more accurately depicts
the comparison with other areas number of infectious disease notifications received in the
Public Health Department totalled 216, as compared with 613 in 1959, a
decline of 397. This pleasing state of affairs was wholly attributable
to the small incidence of cases of Measles.
Four-hundred samples of Food and Drugs were submitted to Mr. T.
McLachlan, Public Analyst to this authority. In only ten instances
(2½%) was it found that adulteration or labelling inaccuracies had
occurred. All instances were thoroughly investigated and appropriate
action taken. Details of the work carried out during the year are
incorporated in this Report.