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consistently lower than that for the country as a whole, a fact
which is scarcely surprising when the character of the district is
taken into account. It will also be seen, however, that, during
the war years, when the Infant Mortality Rate for England and
Wales continued to drop, the rate for Southgate did not show the
same decrease. This was almost certainly due to the conditions
which prevailed in the Borough during the years in which bombing
took place, and to the influx into the district of families from
Inner London. The return to more normal conditions was very
quickly reflected in a decrease in the Infantile Mortality Rate,
culminating in the very low figure for 1948.
As has already been stated in the preface to this Report, it
would be highly dangerous to draw any sweeping conclusions
from the figures relating to one year. The very low Infantile
Mortality Rate is none the less a source of satisfaction, and
encourages us to continue along the lines which have presumably
been responsible for this result.
Stillbirths.—15 stillbirths (0 illegitimate) were accredited to
the district for 1948. This is equal to a death-rate of 14.58 per
1,000 (live and still) births, the corresponding figures for 1947
being 31 stillbirths with a rate of 24.27. The rate per 1,000 of
the population was 0.202, the rates for England and Wales, and
London being 0.42 and 0.39 respectively for 1948. The average
rate for the past ten years was 25.83.
It is pleasing to be able to record that the Stillbirth Rate
for 1948 was by far the lowest yet recorded in the district. It
will thus be seen that the fall in the Infantile Mortality Rate has
been accompanied by an equally spectacular drop in the Stillbirth
Rate. Taken together, these figures are particularly satisfactory.
Here again, however, one must not draw hasty conclusions.
Continued vigilence is obviously required, with an extension of
available facilities for prevention and investigation in the light of
experience gained.
Maternal Mortality.—The maternal mortality rate, i.e., the
number of mothers dying as the result of childbirth per 1,000
total (live and still) births was nil. For the second year in
succession, no maternal deaths occurred in the Borough, the first
time that it has been possible to record such a fact. All maternal
deaths are fully investigated. Where any preventable cause is
ascertained, the matter is immediately followed up, with a view
to the elimination of the causal factor.
Mortality of "Toddlers."—Three deaths occurred amongst
children of the age group 1-5 years during 1948. This represents
a death rate of 0.04 per 1,000 of the population, and 0.38 per cent
of the total deaths for the year at all ages. In 1947 there were
eight deaths, giving a death rate of 0.11 and a percentage of 0.95.
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