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Deaths in 1957 were 16 less than in 1956. The principal causes were diseases of the heart and
circulatory system, which accounted for 41 per cent. of the total deaths; malignant diseases 17 per
cent.; and respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, 11.5 per cent. Deaths from lung cancer fell
from 49 to 34 as compared with the previous year. Seventy-two per cent. of the deaths registered
were of persons aged over 65 and twenty-one per cent. were aged between 45 and 65 years.
Infant Mortality.
Twenty-five infants died under 1 year of age (21 legitimate, 4 illegitimate), as compared with twelve
last year (all legitimate), giving a death rate of 31.29 per 1,000 live births, as against 15.04 per 1,000
last year.
Details showing causes of death according to age group and sex are given in Table 2, page 30.
Although these figures are the highest since 1954, when they were 27 and 31.50 respectively, no
special significance can be attached to the apparent large increase in 1957. Fluctuations of this kind
are almost inevitable where comparatively small groups of population are involved and, as another
example, it will be noticed from Table 1, page 30, that local deaths at all ages from lung cancer fell
during the year from 49 to 34 despite the fact that the figures for England and Wales increased by
more than 5 per cent. in 1957, thus underlining the general upward trend of deaths from this cause.
Only by comparison of the average figures over several years can a true picture be gained. The average
infant mortality rates for the five-year periods 1948-1952 and 1953-1957, in St. Marylebone, were
respectively 24.06 and 22.76 per 1,000 live births.
Maternal Mortality.
For the fourth successive year there were no maternal deaths.
Accidental Deaths.
During the year, 21 residents died from accidents of all kinds, a decrease of 13 on the previous
year. Of these, 6 were due to road accidents. National figures show that children under 5 years and
elderly people account for 80 per cent. of accidental deaths. Year after year far more deaths result
from accidents in the home than from road accidents and every effort must be made to make
householders realise the urgent need to take all possible precautions and by avoiding carelessness
reduce this appalling toll of life and unnecessary suffering.
Local road accident figures show an increase on the previous year (720), there having been 749
accidents in the Borough, resulting in 6 deaths, 111 serious injuries and 801 slight injuries.
Weather.
The following summary of the weather during the year and Table 3, page 31, are based upon
information supplied by the Meteorological Office:—
January.—Mild by day and night. Air temperatures fell to 32 degrees only once during the month.
Less rainfall than average. Sunshine exceeded the normal quota by about 30 per cent. Winds
were frequently strong.
February.—Mildest February at Kew Observatory since 1946. London received more than twice
its normal quota of rainfall. Sunshine, however, was above average.
March.—Not quite as sunny as normal, but mildest March on record in London. Rainfall about
40 per cent. less than normal. Gales occurred on 20th.
April.—Very dry and only 9 millimetres of rain was recorded. This is 24 per cent. of the normal
rainfall for April. Colder than March, but temperatures were a little above average. Sunshine
was 20 per cent. more than usual. Strong north-easterly winds during last week.
May.—Sunshine a little above average, but mean monthly temperature 2 degrees below normal.
Rainfall deficient by about 40 per cent. Strong north-easterly winds on 24th and 25th.
June.—Sunniest June at Kew for more than 75 years. A total of 291 hours of sunshine passed the
previous extreme of 277 hours in 1940. Temperature did not fall below 70 degrees on Air Ministry
roof on night of 28th/29th, and the following day temperature reached 95 degrees at Northolt
and 96 degrees at Camden Square, the latter being the highest temperature recorded during
June in the British Isles since 1858. There was half the normal quota of rainfall.
July.—Cloudy and wet with 90 per cent. of normal sunshine and 50 per cent. more rain than
normal. Nights fairly warm, but mean day temperatures a little below normal. Thunder on
7 days.