Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hornsey, Borough of]
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HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
TOWN HALL,
HORNSEY, N.8.
To the Worshipful the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I submit herewith my Annual Report on the health services
provided by local government in this Borough for the year ended
31st December, 1960.
The mid-year population, as estimated by the Registrar General,
was 96,570 representing an increase of 140 over the previous year.
The Preliminary Report of the 1961 Census, now to hand, gives a
figure of 97,885; or only 274 below that given at the census ten
years ago.
The birth rate of 19.6 was the highest recorded in the Borough
since the year 1947. The number of illegitimate births of nearly
1 in 9 must be regarded as a social problem of grave public concern.
The infantile death rate was 19.0 per thousand live births as
compared with 24.8 in the previous year. The death rate of infants
in the first week of life showed a marked decrease from 20.8 in
1959 to 13.2. With the number of still-births higher than in the
previous year, the final peri-natal death rate fell from 33.6 to
29.1.
The adjusted general death rate of 10.2 was again well below
the national average of 11.5. Deaths from cancer generally were
242 as compared with 225 the previous year. Cancer of the lungs
54 showed a slight decrease.
Two smoke control orders came into force during the year;
and a third order was confirmed without necessity for a Public Local
Enquiry since no objections were received.
Patronised at the official opening by the Mayor (Councillor Miss
O. R. Anderson, J.P.) and the Chairman of the Health Committee
(Councillor C. R. Williams), a successful four day Clean Air Exhibition
was held, in the month of May, at the Town Hall: demonstrating how
the clean air of the countryside may be brought back to Hornsey by
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