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8
The birth rate was 18.9. This is a decrease from the two
previous years but is considerably higher than in the pre-war and
early war years. It has been pointed out that the present high rate
is partly, if not largely, due to anticipated births occurring earlier
on account of marriages taking place at an earlier age.
The proportion of illegitimate births to the total births shows
no decline from 1947, and is still 32 per cent above the 1938 proportion
though greatly decreased from the 1945 and 1946 figures.
The still birth rate can be regarded as very satisfactory although
it did not maintain the low record of the 1947 rate.
The crude Death Rate was 11.9 Without more precise
information as to age distribution, its exact significance cannot be
evaluated. In general terms it may be regarded as exhibiting the
downward trend that has been apparent in this and all other Western
European countries during the past few years.
It is with pleasure that I report that there were no maternal
deaths nor any from the ordinary infectious diseases. Thus an
important record in Public Health in Finsbury was constituted.
The record low infant mortality in 1947 of 32.0 was very nearly
but not quite, maintained at 32.6.
The Tuberculosis Death Rate was considerably reduced from
1.25 in 1947 to 0.72. The reduction occurred evenly at all ages
and the incidence of deaths from disease in the older age groups
as compared with young adults was again high. I referred to this
feature in my last Annual Report as it indicates a change in
perspective of the Tuberculosis Problem which has taken place
throughout the country.
Unfortunately I cannot report much advance in dealing with
the problems of environment and housing, though some general
improvement did take place during the year. Everyone, however,
was looking forward to the completion of the Spa Green estate and
the hope that it would start a new era in the Housing conditions
in the Borough.