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CHAPTER I.
VITAL STATISTICS.
1. The population of the Borough in mid-1951 was estimated
by the Registrar General to be 130,800 and whilst this is considerably
below 131,369 the preliminary census figure for 1951 it
probably represents the most accurate figure attainable. It is an
interesting observation that the population of Wembley and
Kingsbury recorded in the census of 1931 was some 65,799, an
inter-census increase of 99.7%. Wembley remains the fifth largest
County District in Middlesex, those greater, according to population,
being Harrow, Ealing, Willesden and Hendon.
2. In 1951 there were recorded 1,492 live births, giving a
birth rate of 11.41 per thousand of the estimated population. The
number of deaths was 1,224 giving a crude death rate of 9.36 per
thousand. When the comparability factor (1.16) is applied the
standardised death rate becomes 10.86, an increase on last year's
very low figure but still below the national rate of 12.5 per
thousand of the population.
3. The infantile mortality rate of 22.79 failed to maintain
the record low level of 1950 and although the figure is still below
the national rate for England and Wales yet it demands some
attention. Prematurity of birth and congenital malformation are
the main causes of death in very young infants and an emergency
unit is maintained at the Edgware General Hospital which can
be called to the house when a premature birth occurs to give
immediate and skilled attention prior to removal if necessary to
hospital.
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