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CHAPTER I.
VITAL STATISTICS.
1. The population of the Borough in mid-1953 was estimated
by the Registrar-General to be 129,600 and whilst this is considerably
below 131,384 the 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 1953 there were recorded 1,490 live births, giving a birth
rate of 11.5 per thousand of the estimated population. The
number of deaths was 1,127 giving a crude death rate of 8.70 per
thousand. When the comparability factor (1.10) is applied the
standardised death rate becomes 9.57, a decrease on last year's
figure and below the national rate of 11.4 per thousand of the
population.
3. The infantile mortality rate of 20.13 showed a slight drop
compared with the figure of 1952 and is 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 one death from maternal
causes.
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