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Town Hall,
Euston Road,
N.W.1.
June, 1956
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Saint Pancras.
Your Worship Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have pleasure in presenting to you my Annual Report, for the year 1955.
The population in the middle of the year, as estimated by the Registrar
General, was 134,500 This compares with a population of 136,400 in the middle
of 1954, which means that the number of residents in St. Pancras has fallen during
the year by 1,900 The actual census figure for 1951 was 138,377, that is, 3,877
more than the present population
Infantile deaths numbered 50 - eleven more than last year. The infantile
mortality rate was 23 per thousand live births, as compared to 18 in 1954. The
death rate rose from 9.8 per thousand population in 1954 to 10.7 in 1955. These two
figures of death rate and infantile mortality, considered alone, are somewhat
disturbing. On the other hand it must be remembered that the population is
probably ageing, and that a small number of deaths in the first year of life
can influence very considerably the infantile death rate. The number of deaths
in children under one year has varied during the last seven years between 39
and 70 hence a small increase influences the rate very considerably. In 1920 the
number of deaths was 435, and twenty years ago, in 1935, it was 155.
Infectious Disease (Measles)
During the course of the year, 1,618 cases of measles were notified, as
compared with 398 in 1954 Not one patient died. It is interesting to consider
mortality from measles over the past few years Since 1950 there have been
notified 7, 622 cases with only one death. Taking the years 1939 to 1955, inclusive,
there were notified 17,529 cases, with 15 deaths Taking individual years, in
1929 there were 3,876 notifications with 127 deaths, and in 1926, 3,734 cases
with 65 deaths
What are the reasons for this very happy reduction in mortality from measles?
It is possible that the disease itself is not as virulent as it was in past years,
but I do not think this is the whole story There is a tendency now-and a very
wise one to admit to hospital severe cases of measles or children from homes
where the conditions are such that adequate care and attention is not available.
Should complications arise, admission is always effected. The complications we
had to cope with during the year consisted chiefly of bronchitis and broncho
pneumonia though three children had ear trouble Probably the decrease in mortality
is associated with a better understanding of the fact that measles can be a serious
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