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The various rates for 1946 are, of course, based on the RegistrarGeneral's
estimate of population at mid-year, which was 72,710.
For the first time in quite a number of years one may accept this
estimate as reasonably accurate, although other evidence, e.g.,
returns from the Food Office, would lead one to believe that the
actual population at mid 1946 was slightly in excess of the RegistrarGeneral's
estimate. We must, however, base our returns on the
figures supplied by the Registrar-General, although it will be
obvious that, if our population was actually around the 74,000 mark,
as one might be justified in assuming, the mortality figures contained
in this report are very slightly in excess of what would otherwise be
the case.
Infant Mortality.—There were 36 (3 illegitimate) deaths of
infants under 1 year of age, which gives an infantile death-rate of
29.68 per 1,000 births, as compared with 38 deaths and a rate of
38.93 in the preceding year.
The corresponding rates for England and Wales and London
were 43 and 41 respectively.

Of the 36 infant deaths during 1946, 15 or 41.7 per cent,
occurred within the first week of life, while the total under 1 month
numbered 24 or 66.6 per cent. Six of these deaths were due to
prematurity, 6 to pneumonia, 3 to gastro-enteritis and 7 to
congenital abnormalities.
The infantile mortality rate shows a very welcome decrease, and
is the second lowest rate yet recorded in Southgate. If, as is
accepted, the infantile mortality rate of an area can be regarded as
the most sensitive index of the success or failure of the local health
services, then we have some reason for satisfaction. It must be
remembered, of course, that, with such comparatively small totals,
meticulous comparison might be misleading. None the less, the
saving of infant life which took place during the year represents an
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