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Deaths.
The total number of deaths shown in Table 1, page 30, includes persons who, though normally
resident in the Borough, died elsewhere in England and Wales but excludes 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 occurred in the Borough, as also are those of members of H.M. Forces who were stationed
in the area.
Deaths registered in 1964 numbered 889 (13.22 per 1,000) compared with 1,114 (16.55 per 1,000)
in 1963. The rate of 13.22 when standardized by the comparability factor gives a figure of 9.78;
the rates for the County of London and for England and Wales were 11.0 and 11.3 respectively.
The principal causes of death continued to be diseases of the heart and circulatory system, which
accounted for 39 per cent. of the total; malignant diseases 21 per cent.; and respiratory diseases,
including tuberculosis, 11 per cent. Deaths from lung cancer, compared with the previous year, fell
from 53 to 49. Two deaths were attributed to influenza. Seventy per cent. of the deaths registered
were of persons aged 65 and over, whilst 25 per cent. were between 45 and 64 years.
Accidental Deaths.
During the year, 22 residents died from accidents of all kinds, two less than last year. Motor vehicle
accidents accounted for two deaths as compared with seven in 1963.
Road Accidents.
The St. Marylebone Road Safety Committee, which was set up in 1946 to advise the Council as to
the activities which should be undertaken 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 it is
particularly directed. Three matters which receive special attention are: (i) training and testing child
cyclists under the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme sponsored by the Ministry of Transport;
(ii) arranging visits by school children, youth clubs and other local organisations to RoSPA House,
to which the Borough Council contributes £594 per annum; (iii) lecturing at old people's clubs,
Youth Clubs and similar organisations.
There were 990 (949) local road accidents involving personal injury which resulted in 3 (3) deaths,
136 (133) serious injuries and 1,138 (1,021) slight injuries—the figures in brackets relate to 1963.
A summary of the accidents is given in Table 4, page 32.
Births.
The total of live births registered during the year was 735 (363 males; 372 females), giving a live
birth rate of 10.93 per 1,000 of population, equivalent to a standardized rate of 8.31, the comparable
figure for the County of London being 19.9 and for England and Wales 18.5.
Illegitimate live births numbered 94 (47 males; 47 females), representing 12.79 per cent. of the total
live births, compared with 14.3 per cent. for the County of London.
Stillbirths totalled 10, representing a rate of 13.42 per 1,000 total births, compared with 15 for
the County of London and 16 for England and Wales.
Infant Mortality.
Deaths of infants under one year totalled 17 (13 legitimate; 4 illegitimate), giving a rate of 23.13
per 1,000 live births, as compared with 18.04 in 1963. The rate for England and Wales is 19.9 per
1,000 and 21.3 for the County of London.
Details showing causes of death according to age group and sex are given in Table 2, page 30.
Of the 17 infant deaths, 16 were under four weeks old, giving a neo-natal mortality rate of 21.77
per 1,000 live births, as compared with 15.46 in 1963. The neo-natal mortality rate for England and
Wales was 13.8, and for the County of London 14.9. The early neo-natal mortality rate (deaths
under one week per 1,000 total live births) was 21.77 (England and Wales 12.0; County of London
13.4) and the peri-natal mortality rate (stillbirths and deaths under one week combined per 1,000
total live and stillbirths) was 35.37 (England and Wales 28.2; County of London 28.1).
Maternal Mortality.
No maternal deaths were reported during the year.