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should be studied. The neo-natal mortality is defined as the number
of infants who died during the first four weeks of life for every
thousand children born. Broadly speaking, having regard to our
existing knowledge, it might be said that the most neo-natal deaths
are not at present preventable, being due to such conditions as
congenital defects or prematurity. If, therefore, the number of
neo-natal deaths is high as compared with the number of children
who die during the first year of life, but after the end of
the first four weeks, and if these latter deaths are decreasing while
the neo-natal mortality either shows a comparable decrease or does
not rise, it might be assumed that what used to be termed infant
welfare, together with ante-natal supervision, post-natal supervision
and the practice of midwifery, is of adequate standard so far as the
district is concerned.
Of the 13 infant deaths which took place in Southgate during
1954, no less than 12 were neo-natal. The neo-natal figure has not
risen recently, while the remaining infant deaths have shown a
substantial decline. From these two facts, we might at least claim
that our infantile mortality rate was satisfactory. It is still our
duty, of course, to take all practicable steps to reduce the infant mortality
as a whole and to use such knowledge as is available to reduce
the neo-natal hazards. This is being done.
Still-Births.
Ten still-births, all legitimate, were accredited to the Borough
for 1954. This is equal to a death rate of 12.12 (live and still
births) the corresponding figures for 1953 being 13 still births with
a rate of 16.81.
The rate per thousand of the population was 0.14, the rates
for England and Wales being 0.36 and for London 0.35.
The still-birth rate for 1954 continues the slight downward
trend of the past few years and is the lowest recorded for the
Borough.
Maternal Mortality.
One maternal death was reported during 1954.
As noted in the introduction to this Report, this maternal
death was the first recorded in Southgate since 1949, 4,049 births
having been recorded in the intervening period.
All maternal deaths are carefully scrutinised and investigated,
a final assessment being made by a specially designated obstetrician.
The fact that maternal mortality has been so radically reduced within
recent years is a source of tremendous satisfaction. I have
alluded to the causes contributing to this decline in previous Annual
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