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3
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES.
General Statistics.
The Registrar General reports that in England generally
and in Hammersmith there has been an increase in population.
There seems to be no diminution in the tendency to overcrowd London's dormitory areas. Furthermore, a greater
proportion of the population are elderly people and, of course,
these are the very ones who prefer not to move to other areas
but like to remain in surroundings familiar to them. No
epidemic producing high mortality has occurred for some
years.
Vital Statistics.
A reduction has taken place in the infant mortality rate
(deaths of children under one year) and the rate is now 17
deaths per 1,000 births, as compared with 28 for 1949. The
death rate at all ages (the general death rate) has also been
reduced to a figure never before attained, and is now under
11 deaths per 1,000 of the population. Cancer, of course, is
not the cause of most deaths after childhood but even so is
responsible for a high proportion of the total. It is interesting
that in Hammersmith during the last 10 years the cancer
death rate has not altered at all and remains at the figure of
just over 2 deaths per 1,000 of the total population.
Infant Mortality.
The number of deaths of children under one year of age was
34 during the year. Of these, the death rate amongst children
born in wedlock was 17, whilst extra-marital births accounted
for a rate of just over 14. This, in my view, is a particularly
cogent reflection upon the services provided for the health of
the mother and her child. It is usual to find that the extramarital infant mortality rate runs at a much higher level than
that of legitimate children and it is particularly gratifying
that the rate is now better than the legitimate rate. I make
this comment, not to suggest that we want more illegitimate
children, but because it is forceful reassurance that children
under one year of age nowadays die of neglect less than ever
before.
Maternal Mortality.
Only one maternal death occurred during the year.
Sanitary Inspection.
The work of the 17 inspectors proceeded according to
schedule and a considerable amount of " catching up " was
accomplished. The house to house inspection programme
got well under way and during the year, under it, 852 inspections were made and 418 notices served for defects found.