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 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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12
COMMENTS ON VITAL STATISTICS
Births
Since 1955 both the number of births and the birth rate have increased year by year
The trend continued in 1959 and with 4 972 births and a birth rate of 22 3 both figures
are the highest since 1947 - the year of the post war bulge Although the Islington
rate is rather above the National the increase is in line with the tendency throughout
the country. The increase in the number of births to this extent which may well continue
so far as can be seen into the immediate future must have many important effects The
larger population resulting from the post war bulge is not something for which temporary
provision must be made for example in the schools but its effects may well be spread over
a much longer period than was thought likely only a few years ago when the birth rate was
falling after the post war rise
11 20 per cent of all 1959 births were classified as illegitimate
Population
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 | 54,400 | 181,200 | 235,600 | 408,800 | 644,400 |
| Islington | 4,800 | 14,300 | 19,100 | 29,600 | 48,700 |
Deaths
The death rate at 11 56 per thousand population was only very slightly above that of
1958 (11 49) The distribution of deaths by causes however was somewhat different from
the previous year there being more deaths from respiratory causes including lung cancer
than in the previous year This will be separately commented on
The effect of seasonal influences is again shown in the following table of deaths due influenza pneumonia and bronchitis
| Under 1 year | 1 - 44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65-74 | 75+ | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 22 | 31 | 76 |
| February | 2 | 4 | 11 | 33 | 36 | 68 | 154 |
| March | - | 1 | 6 | 9 | 22 | 39 | 77 |
| April | 1 | - | 3 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 24 |
| May | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 13 |
| June | 3 | - | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 19 |
| July | - | - | - | 4 | 4 | 6 | 14 |
| August | - | 1 | - | 1 | 3 | 9 | 14 |
| September | 2 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 9 | 20 |
| October | 1 | - | - | 2 | - | 7 | 10 |
| November | - | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 21 |
| December | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 20 | 36 |