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Deaths registered in 1962 numbered 1,135 (16.67 per 1,000) compared with 1,111 (16.41 per 1,000)
in 1961. The rate of 16.67 when standardized by the comparability factor gives a figure of 12.17;
the rates for the County of London and for England and Wales were 11.7 and 11.9 respectively.
The principal causes of death continued to be diseases of the heart and circulatory system, which
accounted for 40 per cent. of the total; malignant diseases 18 per cent. ; and respiratory diseases,
including tuberculosis, 14 per cent. Deaths from lung cancer, compared with the previous year,
fell from 53 to 42. Four deaths were attributed to influenza. Seventy per cent, of the deaths
registered were of persons aged 65 and over, whilst 23 per cent, were between 45 and 65 years.
Accidental Deaths.
During the year, 26 residents died from accidents of all kinds, ten more than last year. Motor
vehicle accidents accounted for six deaths as compared with four in 1961.
Road Accidents.
The St. Marylebone Road Safety Committee, which was set up in 1946 to advise the Council as to
the activities whic'i should be undertak e locally in an effort to secure a reduction in the number of
accidents occurring on the roads, consists of members of the Council and representatives of outside
organisations with interests in this field of local government activity.
In April, 1961, the Council appointed a Road Safety Officer whose duties include acting as a liaison
between the Council and local organisations. The close personal contacts which have been established
are valuable in ensuring that the road safety message is fully brought home to those to whom particular
propaganda is directed. Three matters which receive special attention are (i) active participation
in the National Proficiency Scheme for Child Cyclists which is particularly commended by the Minister
of Transport; (ii) the arrangement of visits by school children, youth clubs and other local organisations
to RoSPA House, to which the Borough Council contributes £360 per annum ; (iii) regular visits
to Old People's Clubs.
The number of local road accidents, reported as 956, was less than in the previous year (1,027)
but unhappily there were 6 deaths as against 3 in 1961. There were 136 (156) serious injuries and
1,092 (1,127) slight injuries. The figures in brackets relate to 1961, and a summary of the 1962
accidents is given in Table 4, page 31.
Births.
The total of live births registered during the year was 765 (372 males ; 393 females) giving a live
birth rate of 11.24 per 1,000 of population, equivalent to a standardized rate of 8.88, the comparable
figure for the County of London being 17.6 and for England and Wales 18.0.
Illegitimate live births numbered 94 (50 males: 44 females), representing 12.28 per cent, of the
total live births, compared with 14.1 per cent, for the County of London.
Stillbirths totalled 9, representing a rate of 11.63 per 1,000 total births compared with 16.6 for the
County of London and 18.1 for England and Wales.
Infant Mortality.
Deaths of infants under one year totalled 17 (12 legitimate: 5 illegitimate), giving a rate of 22.22
per 1,000 live births, as compared with 26.39 in 1961. The rate for England and Wales is 21.6 per
1,000 and 21.0 for the County of London.
Details showing causes of death according to age group and sex are given in Table 2, page 29.
Of the 17 infant deaths 12 were under four weeks old, giving a neo-natal mortality rate of 15.69
per 1,000 live births as compared with 19.79 in 1961. The neo-natal mortality rate for England and
Wales was 15.1, and for the County of London 15.2. Tha early neo-natal mortality rate (deaths under
one week per 1,000 total live births) was 14.38 (England and Wales 13.4 ; County of London 13.0)
and the peri-natal mortality rate (stillbirths and deaths under one week combined per 1,000 total live
and stillbirths) was 25.84 (England and Wales 30.8 ; County of London 29.8).
Maternal Mortality.
No maternal deaths were reported during the year.
Weather.
The following summary of the weather during 1962, and Table 3, page 30, is based upon
information supplied by the Meteorological Office :—