View report page

7
Stillbirths.
Twenty-four stillbirths during the year gives a yearly rate
per 1,000 births of 25. There has been some reduction in this
rate compared with pre-war years, the average rate in 1936-1941
being 30.3, while in 1942-1947 the rate was 25.5. An abnormally
high rate in the year 1934 makes the average yearly rate for the
past 14 years 29 per 1,000 births. These are not satisfactory
figures.
Deaths.
Four hundred and ninety-three deaths in 1948 gives a death
rate of 8.4 per 1,000 population. This compares not unfavourably
with the previous year—8.6, and is below the average rate for
the past 14 years—9.9 per cent. A tabulation of the main causes
of death is here given. The ages at death show '26 per cent, were
75 years and over.

Infant Deaths.
Nineteen infants died under 1 year of age, giving an Infant
Mortality Rate of 19.9 per 1,000 live births. To apply preventive
action against infant deaths, one requires a full knowledge of the
circumstances of the family, and the full medical and environmental
details. Under the divorcement of Maternity and Child
Welfare services from the services of the Local District Council,
it is not practicable to apply to Orpington any research into the
causes and prevention of infant deaths.
The average infant mortality rate for Orpington since 1934
is 37 per 1,000 births, so that the rate for 1948 is very satisfactory.
The fact that it is the lowest rate on Orpington's record is to the
credit of the parentcraft of the inhabitants, but it must not be
overlooked that some 24 babies were born dead, and are not
recorded in the calculation of infant mortality.
Maternal Mortality.
The Maternal Mortality Rate is happily again low, only one
mother dying in childbirth, and compares with a rate of 2.7 for
the previous year.