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48
The foregoing table indicates that these early deaths were due, in the
main, to prematurity and congenital malformations.
Perinatal Mortality.—The Perinatal Mortality Rate, calculated
from a total of 97 stillbirths and deaths of infants under 1 week, was
25.7 per 1,000 total births, showing a fall of 6.9 from 1965. The
equivalent rate for England and Wales is 26.3 and that for Greater
London, 25.1.
Reproductive Wastage.—A sum total of 127 stillbirths and
infantile deaths gives a Reproductive Wastage Rate of 33.6 per 1,000
total births, a decrease of 9.0 from 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 RegistrarGeneral.
General.
Following the general trend throughout the country, there was
a very slight increase of 0.6% in the total number of deaths of Borough
residents during 1966. Increases in Greater London and England
and Wales were 0.5% and 2.6% respectively.
Little change was manifest when comparing the total number of
deaths in 1966 with those of the previous year but there was a
noticeable change in cause distribution.
Mainly as a result of a decrease in deaths from congenital
malformations, infant mortality showed a reduction of some 15%
and there was a decline in motor vehicle accidents and suicide.