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INFANT DEATH RATE. The number of deaths of children
under twelve months for every 1,000 live births reached the
borough's lowest record of 41 in 1947. The previous lowest
record was 49 in each of the years 1945 and 1946.
MATERNAL DEATH RATS. Four mothers died in 1947 as
a result of pregnancy or childbirth out of a total of 3,077
confinements (including still births). These figures give
a maternal death rate of 1.3 per 1,000 confinements, a
lower figure than this having been recorded on only two
previous occasions.
GENERAL DEATH RATE. The death rate in 1947 was 11.2
which is the lowest ever recorded in the borough.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES. During 1947, acute poliomyelitis
(or infantile paralysis) caused some concern throughout the
country generally. In Kensington, 27 cases occurred during
the year compared with one in 1946 and three in 1945. Two
cases proved fatal. Special measures were taken to prevent
the spread of this disease. Health propaganda and publicity
were intensified, special film shows demonstrating diagnosis
and treatment were organised for local doctors, and care
was taken to avoid congestion at swimming baths. The disease
did not reach epidemic proportions in Kensington.
The number of cases of diphtheria (23) in 1947 was the
second lowest ever recorded, and there were no deaths from
this disease during the year.
There was a marked reduction in the incidence of
scabies during 1947. The number of cases notified was
practically half the number in the previous year, and was the
lowest recorded since this disease became notifiable in 1943.
Measles attained epidemic proportions during the year,
and special precautions were taken to ensure home visiting and
nursing for all oases notified. There were 852 notified cases
in 1947 compared with 264 in 1946, and five deaths occurred
compared with two in the previous year.
TUBERCULOSIS. The number of cases of tuberculosis
notified during 1947 was 259 compared with 210 in the previous
year. The 1947 total was the highest recorded in Kensington
since 1932. The tuberculous death rate per 100,000 population
was 47.5 which is the lowest ever recorded; the death rate in
1946 was 55, end in 1945 was 84.
VITAL STATISTICS.
The table set out on the next two pages gives the
important vital statistics for 1947, together with comparative
figures for the previous seven years.