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4
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF FULHAM
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
TOWN HALL, FULHAM, S.W.6.
To The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Fulham
Mr, Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my report on the state of the public health in Fulham for
the year 1955, together with that of your Public Analyst, Mr. T. McLachlan, A.C.G.P.C.,
F.R.I.C.
VITAL STATISTICS
Population
The Registrar General's estimated 1955 mid-year population was 118,600, Compared with
his 1954 figure, this shows a decrease of 2, 100 - the largest post-war decrease.
Birth Rate
The number of births per 1,000 population in the Borough was 14.34, which is 0.28
higher than the figure for 1954
Death Rate
The number of deaths per 1,000 population was 11,0. This is lower than the death rate
for the County of London (12.8) (11.4 in 1954). In 1954 the figure was 10.2 - the lowest
recorded death rate for the Borough.
Coronary and other heart diseases combined take the heaviest toll, followed by cancer.
Pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases of the respiratory system were third.
Deaths from motor and other accidents, as well as suicides, are practically the same as
in 1954.
Infant Mortality Rate
The rate for 1955 was 27.0, an increase of 8.0 over the figure for 1954 The largest
number of deaths occurred during the first month of life and were therefore due to neo- natal
causes such as prematurity, immaturity and causes operative during birth
Maternal Mortality Rate
It is with regret that I record the death of two mothers during the year, due to con
ditions associated with child birth a rate of 1.1 per 1,000 births (The rate for the
County of London was 0.77 and for England and Wales 0.64),
Infections Diseases
With the exception of the anticipated increase of measles notifications during the year
(1,728), there was no serious epidemic of any infectious disease in the Borough Although
the number of measles cases was large, the nature of the disease was mild Whooping Cough
notifications showed a slight increase.