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8
Population
It is estimated that there has been little change in the population
or in its age structure in recent years.
Births
The birth rate shewed a further slight rise on the rates for the
preceding years.
The illegitimate birth rate whether expressed as a proportion of
the total births or of the population, shewed a distinct rise on previous
years.
Stillbirths
The stillbirth rate not only did not preserve the low level of
the previous year but was higher than that recorded in recent years.
It is nevertheless only just very slightly above the national average.
Deaths
The standardized death rate was the same as that in 1956 and
remains well below the rate for the country generally.
The only significant change in the ages at which the deaths took
place is the occurrence of 5 deaths in children aged 1-4 as against
only 1 in 1956
Maternal Mortality
There were no maternal deaths during the year.
Infant Mortality
There was a very marked fall in the infant mortality rate from
the high figures which I had to report in the preceding three years.
The rate now stands at 22 as against the national average of 23. In
considering this satisfactory fall however the increased stillbirth
rate must be kept in mind.
There were 2 deaths among illegitimate infants.
Causes of Death
These were substantially similar to those in 1956 and comment
would appear needed only on the following points
(1) The total number of deaths from all forms of cancer was
almost exactly the same as before, but there was a further
very slight increase in the number of deaths from cancer of
the lung from 23 to 25 significant however in that it continues
the trend of the increase in recent years which is
giving rise to grave concern.