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CHAPTER I.
VITAL STATISTICS.
1. The population of the Borough in mid-1954 was estimated
by the Registrar-General to be 129,500 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 1954 there were recorded 1,481 live births, giving a birth
rate of 11.44 per thousand of the estimated population. The number
of deaths was 1,118 giving a crude death rate of 8.63 per thousand.
When the comparability factor (1.10) is applied the standardised
death rate becomes 9.49, 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 18.23 showed a slight drop
compared with the figure of 1953 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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