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54
was 32.6 per 1,000 total births. The equivalent rate for England
and Wales is 26.9.
Reproductive Wastage.—A sum total of 162 stillbirths and
infantile deaths gives a reproductive wastage rate of 42.6 per
1,000 total births, an increase of 7.6 over that calculated for the
previous year.
REMARKS ON OTHER VARIOUS DEATH CAUSES
Recognising the importance of ensuring as far as possible the
uniformity and comparability of statistics in relation to diseases
and causes of death, the Registrar-General has, from 1st January,
1950, implemented the Nomenclature Regulations, 1948, as
suggested by the World Health Organisation. Although these
regulations are not binding on Medical Officers of Health, it is
essential that the International Statistical Classification of Diseases,
Injuries and Causes of Death, 1955, should be adopted in order that
local statistics can be compared with national figures and national
with international.
Classification of Deaths.—It should be borne in mind that the
statistical data compiled locally relating to cause of death may not
entirely agree with the figures furnished to Local Authorities by
the Registrar-General. Classification of the cause of death is taken
from one or more causes as stated on the medical certificate in
accordance with the rules generally adopted throughout England
and Wales.
The Registrar-General is able, in cases where it is deemed
desirable, to obtain fuller information from the certifying practitioner.
This enables his department to modify the original classification—hence
the possibilities of discrepancies in some cases
between the figures prepared locally and those referred by the
Registrar-General.
General
A slight increase in the total number of deaths of Borough
residents during 1965 (and a consequent rise in the rate) followed
the general trend throughout the country.
Such increases as have occurred are to be found mainly under
the headings of 'vascular diseases of the nervous system' and
'respiratory complaints' which registered rises of 22% and 10%
respectively. The overall picture of cancer was a little more
reassuring but carcinoma of the lung continued its unrelenting
progression. Deaths from heart disabilities showed some small