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6
Vital Statistics.
The population of Willesden, estimated at mid-summer,
1915, was 166,840, as compared with the census population,
154,344 in 1911.
The Registrar General estimates the civil population of
Willesden in 1915 at 160,778, which has been obtained by
deducting the soldiers from the total population. The
figure, however, of 166,840, is the figure used throughout
this report.
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that 1,666 marriages
were recorded in Willesden during the year 1915, giving a
marriage rate of 20 per 1,000, being the highest marriage
rate recorded by no less than 4.3 per 1,000 of the population.
On the other hand, the total number of births occurring
in Willesden has fallen from 4,115 in 1914 to 3,775 in 1915,
giving a birth-rate of 22.6 per 1,000, the lowest recorded
by 2.1 per 1,000 of the population.
The number of illegitimate births has not increased
during 1915, being 137 as against 149 in 1914, and 132 in
1913.
2,030 deaths occurred during 1915, giving a death-rate
of 12.2 per 1,000 as against 10.5 per 1,000 in 1914 and 9.8
in 1910, when the death-rate was lowest.
This increase in the number of deaths is mainly due to
Measles, Whooping Cough, Bronchitis, and Pneumonia, all
of which conditions are closely associated. It is certain,
as stated in my Annual Report for 1914, that Local Authorities
in the near future will require to make provision for
the treatment of these diseases which especially occur
amongst young children.
334 deaths of infants occurred during the year 1915,
giving an infant mortality rate of 91 as compared with 82
for the preceding year.