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This gives a collected death-rate of 9.73 per 1,000 of the
population, an increase of 0.29 on the rate for the previous year,
which was 9.44. This rate is still appreciably below that for
England and Wales (11.8 for 1934).
As compared with 1933, there were increases of 4 deaths from
measles, 15 from pulmonary tuberculosis, 14 from circulatory
diseases, 10 from pneumonia and 2 from puerperal sepsis; while
there were decreases of 29 deaths from influenza, 5 from cancer and
7 from suicide.
The principal causes of death are shown in Table I on page 13.
From this table the following facts emerge—
(1) The number of deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis has
once again risen from 23 to 39. In this connection the fact that
more intimate supervision of cases by the new Health Visitor is
now possible takes on increasing importance, as it is obvious that
this disease must on no account be treated lightly.
(2) The number of deaths from influenza has shown a very
welcome decrease (8 as against 37 in 1933). This is gratifying and
it now only remains to be seen whether or not the improvement
will be sustained.
(3) For the first time in several years the number of deaths
from cancer has decreased. The decrease is small (5) but the very
fact that the number has not risen is in itself worthy of comment.
Here again one can only hope that early advice and treatment are
beginning to play their part and that the public will take heart
from the returns and realise that cancer is definitely curable.
(4) Once again it can be said of Southgate that there are no
classes of death which can be attributed to special detrimental
conditions, such as type of employment, atmospheric conditions,
etc. In a rapidly developing district such as Southgate this must
be regarded as eminently satisfactory.
Infantile Mortality. -There were 25 (4 illegitimate) deaths of
infants under 1 year of age, which give an infantile death-rate of
39.06 per 1,000 births registered, as compared with 19 deaths and
a rate of 33.33 in the preceding year.
The rate for England and Wales for 1934 was 59.
It will be seen that the infantile mortality rate has risen
slightly, although the rate for Southgate remains considerably
lower than that for England and Wales.
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