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instance, there is a Home run by a voluntary organisation where some
unmarried mothers can be cared for before their babies are born, where
they can return with their babies, where arrangements can be made for
adoption, if necessary, and for advising and helping the mother. There are
similar Mother and Baby Homes in most of the London Metropolitan
Boroughs. Many of the girls in these homes come, of course, from areas
outside London, and excellent work is done by the staff and the moral
Welfare organisations in helping the mothers, some of whom are quite
young. Close contact is maintained with the Health Visitors and
Children's Department of the London County Council, where necessary.
These are some of the reasons why Battersea, in common with other
London Boroughs, has an illegitimacy rate above the national rate.
Nevertheless, although the problem in Battersea is probably less serious
than it would appear from the figures, it is one that must tax the resources
of Educationalists, Youth Organisations, Social Workers and
the Churches, and others concerned with community well-being. If it
is possible to derive any satisfaction from this subject, it is to note that
contrary to what is often expected, the care which these babies receive
in Battersea, is as good as, or better than, those born in wedlock receive.
This is certainly the case as judged by the infant mortality rate amongst
illegitimate babies, which in 1961 was only 12.93 per thousand illegitimate
live births as compared with 22.49 for legitimate babies. It must
be said, however, that in 1960, the illegitimate infant death rate was
considerably higher.
The infant mortality rate generally rose slightly in 1961 to 21.41
per thousand live births from last year's rate of 18.11. The corresponding
rates for London, and England and Wales, were 21.5 and 21.4
respectively. This rate has been reduced to a comparatively low level,
and yearly fluctuations are inevitable; it is the general downward trend
which is important. This is seen from the rates which have been
recorded over the past ten years. A very low rate of 17.6 was noted
in 1952, and last year's rate of 18.11 was a reduction over the previous
year. It is unlikely, however, as I outlined in my Annual Report for
1954, that the curve of reduction will resume a rapid further decline
until the causes of death in the first month of life are more fully
understood.
I am very pleased to be able to report for the second year in
succession that there were no deaths from puerperal causes in 1961.
This is the first occasion that there have been no deaths from puerperal
causes in Battersea over a period of two consecutive years, a " record "
that reflects much credit on all concerned with the care and welfare of
expectant mothers.
1961 was a year when an increase in the number of Measles cases
was expected, and duly realised, there being a total of 1,906 cases of
this disease as against 186 in 1960, making a total of all infectious
diseases notified of 2,187 compared with 558 in 1960. With the
exception of Diphtheria there was no particularly outstanding feature in
relation to infectious diseases, though the number of cases of Dysentery
was reduced by over half to 32 from 68. Included in the body of the
Report is some account of the cases of diphtheria which occurred in
the early part of the year. Although there were only three clinical
cases and these fortunately, of a mild type, our investigations showed
there was, in one part of the Borough, a considerable amount of infection