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expressed as a percentage of the total live births. This rate is
showing a widespread general rise, and although this year
fortunately the rise in Southgate has been halted, the following
figures are significant :
1958 — 2.59
1959 — 3.76
1960 — 4.98
1961 — 5.98
1962 — 4.64
It needs little imagination to picture the problems and distress
which must arise from this increasing rate.
The number of infectious diseases notified during 1962 was
188 as against 915 last year. There were over 600 fewer cases of
measles than in 1961 and 70 fewer cases of dysentery, which
largely accounts for the difference in the number of notifications.
The Infectious Sickness Rate for the year was 2.62 compared with
12.78 last year.
It is of note that the only deaths during the year which were
due to notifiable infectious disease were those of five males and one
female all adults aged 55 to 65 years. This is a complete and
striking reversal of the old high infectious diseases mortality rates
which were recorded in the early years of life.
One case of nonparalytic poliomyelitis was notified in 1962.
Our last notification of diphtheria was in 1947—15 years ago.
Notifications of whooping cough were 11, a very satisfactory figure.
Health education is a continuous process for the Health
Department right through the year. The choice and supply of
public posters, library book marks and advice leaflets is constantly
under review. The 16mm. projector continues to be put to frequent
and excellent use and is a great teaching asset.
The problem of Health Education on the dangers of smoking
is discussed later in the Report.
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