View report page

CHAPTER I.
VITAL STATISTICS
1. The population of the Borough in mid-1957 was estimated
by the Register-General to be 127,500 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 1957 there were recorded 1,459 live births, giving a birth
rate of 11.44 per thousand of the estimated population. The number
of deaths was 1,173 giving a crude death rate of 9.2 per thousand.
When the comparability factor (1.18) is applied the standardised
death rate becomes 10.86, an increase on last year's figure but below
the national rate of 11.5 per thousand of the population.
3. The infantile mortality rate of 18.51 is below the national
rate for England and Wales, yet one feels some comment is not out
of place. Prematurity continues to be the main cause of neonatal
death and the emergency unit maintained at the Edgware General
Hospital is of advantage in cases of prematurity, probably keeping
this rate to an absolute minimum.
4. CANCER. Deaths from Cancer in the Borough during the
year totalled two hundred and sixty and a feature of the deaths,
becoming more conspicuous almost year by year, is the relative
incidence of deaths from Cancer of the lung. There has been a
considerable increase in this condition, as expressed both in the local
and the national figures, and the inhalation of tobacco smoke has been
strongly suspected, if not yet proved, to be the main cause.
It is most interesting in this connection to refer to the Annual
Report of my predecessor, in 1927, in which Dr. Charles E. Goddard
reproduced eight "aphorisms and notes on smoking." In so doing
he appeared to be amongst the pioneers preaching the sermon of
moderation in the use of nicotine. It is true he did not in the Report
6