London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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9
COMMENTS ON VITAL STATISTICS
Births.
The peak of the post-war increase in the birth-rate was 23.55 per thousand
population in 1947. After a sharp drop in 1948, there was a slow but steady decline
up to 1951, at the rate of 16.45. The rate varied little until 1955, although there
was a slight tendency to increase, but in 1956 the birth-rate jumped to 18.9 per
thousand and there was a further increase to 20.1 in 1957. This is the highest
birth-rate since 1947.
10.2 per cent of all 1957 births were classified as illegitimate.
Population.
In view of the interest in the post-war "bulge," the following table (extracted from the Registrar General's Returns) gives the estimated number of children under the age of 15 years in the County of London and in Islington:—
| Under 1 year | 1 — 4 | Total under 5 | 5 — 14 | Total under 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London, Admin. County | 51,800 | 178,200 | 230,000 | 425,000 | 655,000 |
| Islington | 4,190 | 13,410 | 17,800 | 30,600 | 48,400 |
Deaths.
The death-rate of 10.79 per thousand population continued the downward
trend for the third year running. The reduction in the deaths was spread evenly
through most of the major causes and through the different age groups. There
were, however, a few increases to which special reference will be made.
Infants under One Year. The infant mortality rate, at 21 per thousand live and
stillbirths, was the same as the previous year, but from the summary of infant
mortality on page 8 it will be noted that out of the total of 94 deaths of infants
under the age of 12 months as many as 59, or 63 per cent, were returned as deaths
in the same grouped causes, i.e. congenital malformations, birth injury, atelectasis,
atrophy and marasmus. Deaths from these causes are closely associated with the
course of pregnancy and the confinement itself, and by far the greater number
occurred within seven days of birth, and as many as one-third within twenty-four
hours of birth. Infant mortality within this group was higher for 1957 than for
any previous year, but there are no known factors to indicate the reasons for such an
increase, since a period of one year is insufficient for adequate enquiry to enable
firm conclusions to be arrived it. Observation from this aspect will be continued.
Respiratory Tuberculosis. The welcome reduction in deaths due to tuberculosis
of the lungs which has continued throughout the post-war period has again given a
new low record for 1957, with a total of only 28 deaths, comprising 20 males and