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11
Infants under One Tear. The infant mortality rate of 24 per thousand, although
a little higher than the previous year, still represents a low risk for infants. The
low rate may be taken as a further testimony to the standard of maternal care
exercised by mothers in Islington in spite of many unfavourable housing and sanitary
circumstances, and to the assistance given by the Personal Health Services of the
Local Health Authority, the Hospital and General Practitioner services in the
Borough. The Islington infant mortality rate of 24, compares not unfavourably
with the corresponding figure of 25 for the County of London and 27 for the whole
of England and Wales. Even with this low rate, however, there is still room for
improvement. Of the total of 96 infant deaths, 42 occurred within 24 hours of
birth, and 61 within seven days. These deaths it is difficult to avoid, but something
can be done by mothers themselves, especially when expectant, in seeing that they
come under the care of a doctor or midwife as early as possible in pregnancy, and
that they carefully follow the advice given, especially in regard to work, diet and
rest. They should not hesitate to consult a doctor immediately there is any depar
ture, or apparent departure, from normal health, including normal pregnancy.
Of the 29 infants who died between the ages of one and twelve months, five
deaths were due to bronchitis, eight to pneumonia and five to enteritis and diarrhoea.
It is highly probable that the great majority of these deaths were avoidable, and a
considerable responsibility rests on parents to ensure that their young infants have
early medical or nursing attention as soon as there is any departure from good
health or if there is any failure of normal progress. There are many facilities in
the Borough for obtaining advice without charge on the healthy up-bringing of
infants, and it is the duty of parents, fathers as well as mothers, to see that they
obtain and follow such advice.
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Deaths from Other Causes.
Respiratory Tuberculosis. It is pleasing to record that there is again a very
considerable drop in the number of deaths from respiratory tuberculosis, the total,
numbering 37 for the year, being the lowest on record and comparing with 71 for
the previous year. Of the total of 37, 28 were males, 21 of whom were aged
45 to 65 years.

It was only a few years ago that the number of deaths from tuberculosis of
the lungs considerably exceeded those due to cancer of the lungs, the reverse is
now very much the case. Of the 114 male deaths during the year 63, or 55 per cent.,
were aged 45 to 65. The possible causes contributing to the high proportion of
lung cancer deaths were mentioned in last year's Report. Whilst the cause of lung
cancer is not known, it is thought that one of the principal factors contributing
to the increase is heavy cigarette smoking (25 or more a day) continued for many
years (10 or more). Cigarette smoking seems to present a greater risk than pipe
smoking. Large built-up areas also have a higher lung cancer rate than smaller