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INTRODUCTION
To the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee.
I have the honour to present my Report on the health of the Borough
during 1957.
Vital Statistics «
There was a continued small increase in the total population which
has been noted since 1953. The annual increases will then have been
of the order of 60, 160, and this year 100. In 1956 the figure remained
stationary. There is thus a steady healthy growth of the borough and
this is shown also by the natural increase of births over deaths.
A short description of the natural and environmental conditions
enlarged from that detailed in previous Annual Reports is given after
this introductory letter. It shows the type of boroughs to which these
vital statistics relate.
The reduction of Infant Mortality today is largely a question of the
reduction of neonatal mortality (mortality in the first month of life)
and of stillbirth mortality. Thus in the Table of Infantile Mortality,
there are reported, 14 deaths of infants in their first year of life. Eleven
deaths occurred in the first month, and of these eight occurred in the
first day. Half of these early deaths were from congenital disease, and
so in the light of present medical knowledge, were not entirely
preventable.
These congenital diseases occurred equally in male and female
infants. Otherwise there were nearly twice as many deaths in female
as in male infants. It is probable that some infant deaths due to
congenital diseases are included in the stillbirths.
The general rates show an increase in the Birth Rate and a decrease
in the Death Rate. There were increases of infant mortality and deaths
from cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis and accidental causes. The
illegitimate rate which is expressed as a percentage, is not more than
the national average. Both Death Rate and Infantile Mortality are
lower than for England and Wales. Suicide deaths show a marked
increase from 6 to 11.
Included in the section on Vital Statistics are the Morbidity
Returns. The outbreak of Asian influenza is clearly shown in the figure
for October, and an earlier outbreak of influenza in April is also noted.
Environmental Health and Social Services
The ramifications of voluntary work in the borough is shown in
several reports in these two sections, and each year the Chairman has
recorded the Committee's appreciation of the vital value of this work
in supplementing the statutory health services provided by hospitals,
clinics and their staff.
Provision of homes continues to solve some problems and yet to
raise others connected with rents and the cost of living. Improvements
and conversions under the Housing Act consist in the majority of cases
of the conversion of bedroom into bathroom and closet. Thus many
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