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ANALYSIS OF VITAL STATISTICS
1. The estimated population for 1953 is 40,670, which shows a
slight decrease of 110 on 1952 figures.
2. The number of live births during the year is practically the
same as in 1952, being 494 as compared with 492. The birth rate
is 12.7, this being 0.6 higher than 1952. This increase is due to the
slight decrease in population offset against a small increase in
birth, together with a variation in the Comparability Rates. The
rate is considerably below that for England and Wales and for
towns of a similar size.
3. The infantile mortality rate of 23.1 is lower than that for the
rest of England and Wales by 3.7 and for similar areas of population
by 1.2. It is considerably higher than 1952, which was 14.6. That
year, however, was exceptionally low, the previous year being
20.3. The death rate of illegitimate infants under 1 year per 1,000
illegitimate births give an exceptionally high figure of 111.1. This,
however, is a case in which small figures produce false conclusions
and arises from the fact that out of 9 illegitimate births there was
1 death.
4. The death rate shows a slight decrease on 1952, being 91 as
compared with 9.3. The number of actual deaths were 351, which
is 20 less than the previous year.
5. The number of deaths from cancer was 73, which is the same
as the previous year. The deaths from tuberculosis were 7 against
8 in 1952.
6. There were 43 new cases of tuberculosis during the year as
compared with 40 cases in 1952.
During the year the Mass Radiography unit visited the district
and 4,090 persons were X-rayed. Of this number 1.3 per centre, we
found to require further investigation. This work is extremely
important in the detection of T.B. and will considerably assist in
the control of this disease by early diagnosis.
7. There were 1,528 cases of infectious diseases in the district
as compared with 558 cases in 1952. The greater majority of these
were chicken pox, whooping cough and measles. The table clearly
shows that the age groups up to 10 years are by far the most
susceptible and emphasises the prevalence of measles and whooping
cough. All cases of scarlet fever, dysentery and food poisoning
were visited by the Sanitary Inspectors and details of the case
history obtained. In the cases of food poisoning and dysentery,
samples of food stuff and specimens were obtained for laboratory
examination as necessary.
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