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Altogether, although many explanations for the increase in
cardiac fatalities over the past few years have been advanced, and
although a great deal of research is going on in this and other
countries, the situation is still far from satisfactory. It is most
unfortunate that, although we are continually being pressed to
carry out research and investigations, the staff of such an area
as the Borough of Southgate finds precious little time to indulge
in more than its share of routine work. Sometime in the future,
this pattern may be reversed. When it is, it will be all to the good.
Infant Mortality
There were 15 deaths of infants under one year of age. This
gives an infant death rate of 16.0 per 1,000 live births as compared
with 14 deaths and a rate of 14.8 in the preceding year.
Among the 15 infants who died in Southgate during 1961
before they had reached the age of 12 months, nine failed to
survive one week and two died under four weeks. Every infant
death is carefully scrutinised. Although the infant mortality
figures for the last few years continue to be very much more
satisfactory than was the case not so many years ago, it is obvious
that we must still continue our efforts to eliminate all cases of
infant death, whether the deaths occur in the first week, in the
first month, or in the first year.
Still Births
Eleven still births, all legitimate, were accredited to the
Borough for 1961. This is equal to a death rate of 11.6 (live
and still births), the corresponding figures for 1960 being 11 still
births and a rate of 11.46.
Maternal Mortality
No maternal deaths were reported during 1961.
Mortality of Persons over the age of 65
713 deaths, or 77.41 of the totals deaths during the year
occurred in persons over the age of 65 years. Of these, 244 died
between the ages of 80 and 90, while a further 28 females and 13
males were over the latter age, the oldest being 103.
Following the trend of recent years, diseases of the heart and
circulation were responsible for more deaths in this age group than
any other cause.
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