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Deaths.
The total number of deaths (1,171) shown in Table 1, page 28, is inclusive of persons who though
normally resident in the Borough died elsewhere in England and Wales, but exclusive of persons
who, though they died in St. Marylebone were ordinarily resident in other parts of England and Wales.
Deaths of persons ordinarily resident outside the borders of England and Wales are included in the
St. Marylebone figures if they occur in the Borough, as also are those of members of H.M. Forces who
were stationed in the area.
Deaths in 1958 were 50 more than in 1957. The principal causes were diseases of the heart and
circulatory system, which accounted for 40 per cent. of the total deaths; malignant diseases 18 per
cent.; and respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, 13 per cent. Deaths from lung cancer rose
from 34 to 58 as compared with the previous year. Nearly seventy-five per cent. of the deaths
registered were of persons aged over 65 and nearly twenty per cent. were aged between 45 and 65 years.
Infant Mortality.
Twenty-six infants died under 1 year of age (23 legitimate, 3 illegitimate), as compared with
twenty-five last year (21 legitimate, 4 illegitimate), giving a death rate of 33.42 per 1,000 live births,
as against 31.29 per 1,000 last year.
Details showing causes of death according to age group and sex are given in Table 2, page 28.
The number of deaths under one year of age was the highest since 1954, when it was 27 but no
special significance can be attached to the increase. Fluctuations of this kind are almost inevitable
where comparatively small groups of population are involved and 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.
There was one maternal death, the first for five years.
Accidental Deaths.
During the year, 30 residents died from accidents of all kinds, an increase of 9 on the previous
year. Of these, 11 were due to motor vehicle 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 (749), there having been 887
accidents in the Borough, resulting in 7 deaths, 109 serious injuries and 959 slight injuries.
Weather.
The following summary of the weather during 1958 and Table 3, page 29, are based upon
information supplied by the Meteorological Office:—
January.—Sunshine near normal; mean temperatures and rainfall mainly near or a little below
normal. Cold spells from 19th-25th and some snow from 21st-24th. Then temperatures rose
rapidly reaching 57 degrees F. in many places. The month closed foggy.
February.—Sunshine about 80 per cent. of normal. Mean temperature 2 degrees F. above normal
with maximum of 59 degrees F. and minimum 26 degrees F. Rainfall about 150 per cent. of
normal with most between 22nd and 25th. Sleet or snow on 6 days—heaviest snowfall on
25th. Little fog. Faint Aurora on 11th.
March.—Mean temperature about 4 degrees F. below normal. Rainfall variable, about 80 per cent.
of normal. The 4th consecutive dry March. Sunshine near average.
April.—Moderate to heavy falls of rain and snow on 4th and 5th. Rainfall was about 75 per cent.
of normal. The 5th consecutive dry April. Sunshine 103 per cent. Mean temperature about
2 degrees F. below normal due to cold start—2/3 of month below normal.
May.—Mainly dry and mild at first, cooler and wet later. No air frost. Normal sunshine; rainfall
123 per cent. of average. No snow or hail but two days with thunder.