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CHAPTER I.
VITAL STATISTICS
1. The population of the Borough in mid-1958 was estimated
by the Registrar-General to be 126,800 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 1958 there were recorded 1,520 live births, giving a crude
birth rate of 11.99 per thousand estimated population. The RegistrarGeneral
has provided boroughs with a comparability factor for this
calculation which takes into account the relative proportion of women
of child bearing age in the total community. When this factor of
1.01 is applied the standardised birth rate becomes 12.11, a more
realistic figure, the origin of which, however, must be remembered
when comparing it with past years.
3. The infantile mortality rate of 19.08 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. The number of deaths totalled 1,114, giving a crude death
rate of 8.79 per thousand. The comparability factor when applied
produces a standardised death rate of 10.28, a decrease on last year's
figure and below the national rate.
An increased number of deaths was recorded from Pneumonia,
which is difficult to explain as the weather was not particularly severe
and no extensive outbreak of Influenza or other upper respiratory
diseases was experienced. The position is not unsatisfactory and surveillance
will be continued.
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