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Still-Births
Thirteen still-births (1 illegitimate) were accredited to the
district for 1953. This is equal to a death rate of 16.81 (live and
still births), the corresponding figures for 1952 being 19 still-births
with a rate of 23.93. The rate per 1.000 of the population was 0.18,
the rates for England and Wales being 0.35 and for London 0.38.
The average rate for the past ten years was 20.47.
The still-birth rate for 1953 shows a substantial decrease over
the figure for the previous year, and is considerably below the
average rate for the past ten years. Indeed our records show that
this is the lowest still-birth rate yet recorded in Southgate. This is
satisfactory, as is the fact that the still-birth rate has been showing
a definite downward trend, although it must once again be stressed
that the figures are too small to justify far-reaching conclusions
being drawn.
Maternal Mortality
There were no maternal deaths reported during the year 1953.
It is pleasing to be able to record that only three deaths have
been recorded in this category within the last seven years, within
which time 6,438 births took place. This is extremely satisfactory
when one compares the position which held before the war. The
reasons are varied and include highly specialised ante-natal care,
great advancement in midwifery itself, and the advent of
chemotherapy as a means of combating infection before, during
and immediately after child-birth. Although this is not a matter
with which the Borough Council is directly concerned, it is one
which I feel certain will give great pleasure to the Council.
Mortality of Persons over the age of 65
Five hundred and eighty-three or 69.47 of the total deaths
luring the year occurred in persons over the age of 65. Of these,
190 died between the ages of 80 and 90, while a further 33 were over
'he latter age (12 males, the oldest being 95, and 21 females, the
oldest being 95).
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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