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COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
AND
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
FOR THE YEAR 1958
To the Chairman and Members of the Health Committee
ladies and gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the health
of the people of Croydon and the relevant services of the
Corporation for the year ending 31st December, 1958 and make the
following comments on various aspects covered in greater detail
in later pages: -
Statistics
The birth-rate was the highest since 1949. The figure for
England and wales shows a similar rise. At present, it seems
due not to a trend towards larger families, but to marriage at
younger ages. It remains to be seen if this lowering of the
average age at marriage will raise the size of the average
family, other figures are generally unchanged or slightly
Improved with two major exceptions. All concerned with maternity
services regret that there should have been four maternal deaths
in 1958. In each case, however, there were unusual circumstances
and there is good reason to believe that it was an exceptional
year and in the future, a very low maternal mortality rate or a
nil" return can be anticipated.