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It must be remembered, of course, that the figures are much too
small to allow of any complacency. It must also be remembered
that the Infant Mortality Rate for the country as a whole has been
falling steadily for several years, although the Southgate figures are
still considerably lower than those for England and Wales or for
London. Having regard to the nature of the Borough, together
with the social conditions applicable to the population as a whole,
this is to be expected. The figures are none the less encouraging,
and at least support the belief that the policy previously pursued
by the Borough Council, and now implemented and extended by
the County Council, is in the main satisfactory.
Still-births
Nineteen still-births (0 illegitimate) were accredited to the
district for 1952. This is equal to a death rate of 23.93 (live and
still births), the corresponding figures for 1951 being 15 still-births
with a rate of 17.564. The rate per 1,000 of the population was
0.262, the rates for England and Wales being 0.35 and 0.34 respectively
for 1952. The average rate for the past ten years was
21.129.
It will be noted that the still-birth rate for 1952 shows a rise
over the rate for 1951, which was the second lowest recorded in
Southgate. Here again, we must remember that a very few stillbirths
will substantially alter the rate in an upwards or downwards
direction.
Maternal Mortality
One death attributed to causes associated with child-birth
occurred in Southgate during 1952. Three deaths have been
recorded in this category within the last six years, during which
time 5,678 births took place.
All maternal deaths are very fully investigated under a
system which has recently been revised and extended by the
Ministry of Health. This is a matter which concerns the County
Council as local health authority : quite obviously it is equally a
matter in which the Borough Council will be interested.
Mortality of Persons over the age of 65
Six hundred and eight or 67.55 of the total deaths during the
year occurred in persons over the age of 65. Of these, 211 died
between the ages of 80 and 90, while a further 30 were over the
latter age (7 males, the oldest being 96, and 23 females, the oldest
being 100).
As previously, diseases of the heart and circulation were
responsible for more deaths in this age group than any other cause.
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