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CHAPTER I.
VITAL STATISTICS.
1. The population of the Borough in mid-1952 was estimated
by the Registrar General to be 130,100 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 1952 there were recorded 1,521 live births, giving a
birth rate of 11.69 per thousand of the estimated population. The
number of deaths was 1,204 giving a crude death rate of 9.25 per
thousand. When the comparability factor (1.16) is applied the
standardised death rate becomes 10.73, a decrease on last year's
figure and below the national rate of 11.3 per thousand of the
population.
3. The infantile mortality rate of 24.33 showed a slight
rise over the figure of 1951 but 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.
4. During the year there was no death from maternal causes
and I am content to draw attention to the Maternal Mortality
Rate of nil.
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