View report page

With regard to the vital statistics for 1954, these were also
satisfactory. The birth-rate once again rose, from 11.48 to 12.3.
The death-rate fell from 9.18 to 8.8, the lowest death-rate for many
years. So far as these two figures are concerned, however, it should
again be emphasised that yearly fluctuations have no more than a
limited significance unless considered over a lengthy period. The
infantile mortality rate fell from 27.63 to 16.0. This, of course,
is in keeping with the national trend, although the fall in Southgate
produced one of the lowest infantile mortality rates in the Borough.
For the first time in several years, one maternal death was
recorded. The last maternal death took place in 1949, since when
4,049 births have taken place. Altogether the vital statistics for
1954 make very pleasant reading and have yet to be bettered in
Southgate.
The vital statistics for 1954 will be considered in more detail
later in the Report. I need scarcely repeat that the personal health
services operated in the Borough are under the control of the
Middlesex County Council. It will be remembered that last year I
included a report submitted to Area Health Committee No. 2, as
an appendix to my Annual Report. It is doubtful whether my 'latest
statement to the Area Committee will be ready by the time this
Annual Report goes to press. I therefore intend to ask the County
Council's permission to circulate my Area report to all members of
the Council as soon as it is ready. I feel very strongly that the
Borough Council should know what is happening within the
Borough, not only the steps which the Public Health Committee is
taking to safeguard health, but the comparable action pursued by
the County Council. In no other way can these separate but parallel
activities be properly integrated. If and when Southgate becomes
an Area, it will, of course, be much easier to paint a composite
picture. Until then, the steps which I have outlined above will, I
hope, enable the Borough Council to appreciate more fully the
various measures being taken within the Borough to improve and
safeguard the health, not only of the invidual, but of the community.
It has been my custom for several years to include, as an
appendix to my Annual Report, a brief statement on health education.
This year, I should like to incorporate this statement in the
introductory section of the Report, since it is becoming more and
more obvious that health education is playing an essential part in
preventive medicine.
The significance of health education in the vast field of public
health is now accepted. It has been stated that we are still only
in the experimental phase of health education. We certainly have
much to learn, both as to method and content. Be that as it may,
4