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4
A few cases of food poisoning were notified during the year, further details
of which appear elsewhere. I would, however, again stress that safe food can
only be obtained by scrupulous attention to hygiene, not only in the manufacture
and in the retailing, but also in the home, both in the preparation and in the
storage of food.
Further progress has been made during the year with new housing projects,
and this factor with the resultant lessening of overcrowding should continue
to produce satisfactory figures as regard the health of Penge.
STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA
Area (acres) 770
Population (Census 1931) 27,771
Population (Census 1951) 25,012
Home Population, Mid-Year 1954 (estimated by Registrar-General) 25,450
Rateable Value, 1st October, 1954 £207,170
Sum represented by 1d. rate £836
The district, situated on the north-west border of Kent, and immediately
adjoining the Counties of London and Surrey is on the slope of a hill, the
highest point being 370 feet above sea level and the lowest 95 feet above sea level.
The density of population per acre is 33.0 this being the highest in the County
of Kent. The remains of the Crystal Palace and the greater part of the grounds
occupying 127 acres, are within the district and provide a much needed "lung"
for the area.
The district is mainly residential although there is an amount of light
industrial work in the district, the chief industries being engineering, button
making, printing and laundry work.
The Manager of the Employment Exchange for the area informs me that
there were approximately 80 men and 25 women in the Penge area registered as
unemployed at the end of the year.
VITAL STATISTICS
Crude Live Birth Rate per 1,000 of estimated Home population 19.05
Adjusted Live Birth Rate per 1,000 of estimated Home population 17.14
Stillbirth Rate per 1,000 of estimated Home population 0.62
Stillbirth Rate per 1,000 total (live and still) births 31.93
Crude Death Rate per 1,000 of estimated Home population 10.37
Adjusted Death Rate per 1,000 of estimated Home population 9.64
Maternal Mortality Rate per 1,000 total (live and still) births 1.99
Death Rates of Infants under One Year of Age
All infants per 1,000 live births 26.80
Legitimate infants per 1,000 legitimate live births 28.32
Illegitimate infants per 1,000 illegitimate live births Nil