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Deaths.
The total number of deaths (1,141) shown in Table 1, page 30, 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 1959 were 30 less than in 1958. The principal causes were diseases of the heart and
circulatory system, which accounted for 37 per cent. of the total deaths; malignant diseases 19 per
cent.; and respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, 13 per cent. Deaths from lung cancer compared
with the previous year rose from 58 to 63. Seventy-five per cent. of the deaths registered were of
persons aged over 65 and twenty per cent. were aged between 45 and 65 years.
Infant Mortality.
Eleven infants died under one year of age (all legitimate) as compared with twenty-six last year
(23 legitimate, 3 illegitimate), giving a death rate of 14.67 per 1,000 live births, as against 33.42 per
1,000 last year.
Details showing causes of death according to age group and sex are given in Table 2, page 30.
Although the number of deaths under one year of age was the lowest on record, the figure for the
previous year (26) was the highest since 1954, when it was 27. 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 in St. Marylebone for the five-year periods 1950-1954 and 1955-1959 were respectively 23.78
and 21.85 per 1,000 live births.
Maternal Mortality.
No maternal death was reported during the year.
Accidental Deaths.
During the year, 24 residents died from accidents of all kinds. This was six less than last year.
Motor vehicle accidents accounted for six deaths as compared with twelve in 1958. National figures
show that children under five 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.
Again, local road accident figures show an increase on the previous year (887), there having been
978 such accidents in the Borough, resulting in 11 (7) deaths, 131 (109) serious injuries and 1,045
(959) slight injuries. The figures in brackets relate to 1958 and a summary of the accidents in 1959
is given in Table 4, page 32.
Weather.
The following summary of the weather during 1959, and Table 3, page 31, are based upon information
supplied by the Meterological Office:—
January.—About twice the average amount of sunshine; mean temperature about 3.5 degrees
below normal. Rainfall about average. Sleet or snow on 4 days. Foggy all day on 14th, 28th,
29th and 30th.
February.—Sunshine about average. Cold at first becoming very mild later; five days with frost.
Rainfall only about 5 per cent. of average. Foggy all day 17th, 18th and 19th.
March.—Sunshine about average. Rainfall a little above average.
April.—Sunshine slightly below average. Mean temperatures 2 to 3 degrees above average. Rainfall
about 15 per cent. above average.
May.—Sunshine about 20 per cent. above average. Mean temperature one to two degrees above
average. Rainfall 30 to 50 per cent. of average and most of it fell on the night of 21st/22nd
in thunderstorms.
June.—Sunshine about 20 per cent. above average. Mean temperature about two degrees above
average. Rainfall very variable between 30 and 90 per cent. of average due to thunderstorms.