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13
Births.
2,609 live births were registered during the year, there being
1,355 males and 1,254 females. There is an increase of total births
from 2,380 in 1946 to 2,609. The birth rate per thousand population
was 23.71 compared with 20.5 for England and Wales and 23.2
for the 126 large towns, including London, The rate compares
with that of 24.2, 26.5, 30.6, 23.8, 23.6, 20.4, 18.6, 19.6, 18.59,
18.47, 18.7, 18.06, 17.61, 18.77, 19-08, 20.37, 19 83, 22.26, 19.54,
and 22.34, for the years 1927 to 1946 inclusive.
The illegitimate birth rate continues to be very low, being only
4.22 per cent, of total births. The rate of illegitimate stillbirths is
3.92 per cent, of total stillbirths.
Death Rate.
Total deaths in district 588
Outward transfers 134
Inward transfers 274
Deaths of residents 728
Of the 134 deaths of non-residents occurring in the district,
40 took place at the West Ham Sanatorium and 74 at the Rush
Green Emergency Hospital.
Of the 274 deaths of local residents taking place outside this
area, most occurred in institutions. Of these 135 occurred at
Oldchurch Hospital, 13 at King George Hospital, n at Ilford
Isolation Hospital, 10 at London Hospital, nine at The Retreat, Great
Burstead, five at 32a, Spital Road, Maldon, four at the East End
Maternity Hospital, four at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, four at the
Royal Eastern Counties Institution, Colchester, four at Black
Notley Sanatorium and four at Warley Hospital.
The death rate of 6.63 compares with 12.0 for England and
Wales. For the years from 1927 to 1946 inclusive, the local rates
were 7.0, 7.3, 8.3, 6.6, 7.2, 6.5, 6.5, 6.6, 5.63, 6.43, 6.24, 6.19, 5.96,
8.90, 8.51, 6.85, 7.98, 7.81, 6.97, and 6.63.
A table giving the causes of death, and the age periods at which
they occurred, is given at the end of the report.
Water.
The water supply is satisfactory in quality and quantity. Since
November, 1938, eight local authorities in the South Essex Waterworks
Company's area of supply have carried out a co-ordinated
system of sampling. Each authority takes one sample a month for
bacteriological examination and one sample every six months for
chemical examination in accordance with a rota. The 12 bacteriological
and two chemical samples taken from the Company's mains
in this Borough were all satisfactory.
The water is not liable to have plumbo-solvent properties, and