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the result, not of an actual increase in maladjustment and
behaviour problems, but of a reorientation of medical outlook
and an increase in the ascertainment of such children.
In other words, higher levels of health are now being sought
than in days gone by.
One significant development is the widespread and growing
use of the class of drugs known as the "chemical tranquillizers"
of which phenobarbitone is, perhaps, the best
known and which are used to reduce anxiety and tension
with a view to making life more tolerable in an age in which
it is not, always, easy to achieve that inward peace of mind
which is, undoubtedly, a pre-requisite of the health of the
individual.
On a more optimistic note, an important criterion of the
health of a community, as of an individual, is the degree of
activity which it undertakes. Judged by this standard, the
Urban District acquits itself well. The official list of
organisations operating in the Urban District shows that a
very wide range of activities is covered with the cultural,
social and charitable organisations much in evidence. The
cumulative work of these organisations represents a very
considerable force working for the good of the community.
Many instances could, also, be quoted in which neighbourly
help and solicitude by individuals have made it possible for
the old and infirm to remain in their own homes in conditions
of relative peace and contentment. It would not be
an exaggeration to say that never in the history of the Urban
District has greater voluntary effort been expended in the
care of the elderly and the handicapped than is the case today.
Turning to those aspects of health in which definite information
is available, the vital statistics were, once again,
satisfactory. The birth rate at 15.4 per thousand showed an
increase over the rate of 13.9 in 1954, which was the lowest
birth rate ever recorded in the Urban District, but it is too
early to say whether there is any discernible upward trend.
The standardised birth rate, which allows for comparison
with other parts of the country was 14.6 and was, therefore,
below that for England and Wales which was 15.0 per
thousand. The still-birth rate at 13.5 per thousand total
births showed a decrease over 1954 (15.03) and the rate was
considerably lower than that for England and Wales (23.1).
The death rate for the Urban District fell slightly to
7.7 per thousand of the estimated whole population (8.06 in
1954) and the standardised death rate of 9.24 was below
[4]