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8
There were no deaths from Measles, whooping Cough, Meningococcal Infection,Tuberculosis
(all forms), Influenza, Syphilis, Suffocation, and Road Traffic Accidents.

COMMENTS ON VITAL STATISTICS
Deaths of infants under one year
53% of all infant deaths occurred within the first 24 hours following birth. From
one to twelve months the greatest risk to infants was due to respiratory disease; of a
total of 27 infant deaths in the age group one to twelve months, 15 were due to
pneumonia.
Maternal Mortality
In a total of 5,886 live and still births, there were 3 maternal deaths: one was
a fatal issue following instrumental interference and was therefore undoubtedly
avoidable. The other two were due to (1) focal myocarditis (full term pregnancy) and
(2) haemorrhage (Caesarian Section) with Pulmonary collapse due to mucoid bronchitis.
Respiratory Tuberculosis
The death rate for lung tuberculosis in 1953 was the lowest recorded at 0.04 per
1,000 population, and the same rate was maintained for 1964.
Deaths due to Pneumonia and Bronchitis
If respiratory illness is affected by atmospheric pollution which is generally
accepted, it would be expected that ultimately the effects of reducing pollution would
show in reduced mortality for respiratory causes. In 1964, 159 deaths were ascribed
to pneumonia and 138 to bronchitis. The Islington 10-year averages (including 1964)
for these causes were respectively 180 and 221. The 1963-64 winter was relatively mild
as against a severe winter for the previous year. The pneumonia deaths in 1963 at 229
were substantially above average, but the bronchitis deaths for the same year at 230
were not greatly higher. The bronchitis deaths in 1964, however, were the lowest on
record, and future returns will be observed with interest in the hope that 1964 was
the beginnig of a really significant and continuing reduction in the effects of
bronchitis, linked with a reduction in atmospheric smoke pollution due to the
increasing proportion of Islington and surrounding areas which are subject to Smoke
Control Orders, as well as a general tendency to increase the use of electricity, gas,
oil, for space heating instead of burning raw coal in open grates.
Malignant Growths of Lung and Bronchus
Lung cancer deaths in males have not varied very greatly over the last eight
years, with figures between approximately 130 and 150 deaths per annum:-