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5
Births
There was an increase in the birth rate for 1959, and it is now above that of England and Wales.
Deaths
There was a slight increase in the death rate for 1959, and it appears to be becoming stabilised at
about 10 per 1,000, a little below that of England and Wales, which is about 12 per 1,000. The causes
of deaths are shown in Table 1.
Infant mortality
The infant mortality rate fell from 22 to 19 per thousand, which is below that for England and
Wales (22 per thousand). The stillbirth rate has also been reduced from 17 to 15 per thousand and the
perinatal mortality rate from 31 to 27 (Table 2).
66 infants under one year died in Willesden in 1959, 49 in the first two days.
By wards and social class (Tables 3 and 4)
Carlton ward again showed the highest infant mortality rate of 33 and Kensal Rise and Roundwood
had mortality rates above the national rate. The best wards, Brentwater and Willesden Green, had rates of
8 and 9 respectively, which is a quarter of the Carlton rate. The figures speak for themselves: bad social
conditions play a part in producing infant deaths.
Causes of death (Table 5)
Prematurity is again the most important single factor in infant mortality: 25 premature babies died
(37 per cent, of total infant deaths); 2 suffered a birth injury.
7 (one illegitimate) were twin pregnancies; 5 others were also illegitimate. Illness in the mother
did not seem to play an important part in prematurity except in 4 where the mother suffered from toxaemia.
However, social conditions appear to play an important role in prematurity: in Carlton, Roundwood
and Manor wards the percentage of premature births is twice as high as Brentwater, Gladstone,
Mapesbury and surprisingly Kilburn (table 7).
Congenital malformations caused 13 deaths: 7 due to congenital heart disease and 5 to involvement
of the central nervous system (Table 8). All the pregnancies were normal, with no history of virus infection
or pelvic radiation. More research is needed to solve this problem.
Gastro enteritis and respiratory and other infections. There were no deaths from gastro enteritis
but 12 babies died from bronchopneumonia. 10 of them died suddenly with no or only a short history of illness.
Only one of these babies who died at the age of six weeks was breast fed at the time of death. The home
conditions generally were unsatisfactory; overcrowding was a prominent feature, but there was no evidence
of neglect.
Improvement in social conditions would help in preventing respiratory infections.
Other causes. All the other deaths occurred in the neonatal period. One boy was killed in an
accident when the house caught fire. 2 babies died of blood incompatability though the mothers had antenatal
supervision. 5 babies died from atelectasis, 4 of whom were delivered by Cæsarian section because
of fcetal distress; otherwise the pregnancies were normal.
Conclusions
Considering Willesden's large immigrant and floating population it is satisfactory to report that the
infant mortality has fallen once again. However, there is still room for improvement; general raising of
the standard of living, especially reduction of overcrowding would reduce the mortality due to respiratory
illness and the premature birth rate. But further research is necessary into the causes of atelectasis, congenital
malformations, stillbirths and prematurity.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Public Health Laboratory Service (Table 9)
Bacteriological specimens (swabs from sore throats, fasces from intestinal infections, cough plates and
post-nasal swabs from whooping cough cases, etc.) are examined by the Public Health Laboratory Service
at the Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, and at the branch laboratory in Neasden Hospital.
Specimens delivered by doctors to the Health Department, the Health Clinics (or the branch
laboratories in Neasden Hospital) are collected and taken to the Central Public Health Laboratory. A report
by telephone is given to the doctor next morning followed by a written report.
Samples of milk, ice cream, and water are sent by Public Health Inspectors.
Of the 33 unsatisfactory samples of water 22 came from the paddling pool and swimming baths at
King Edward VII Park. New break-point chlorination plant was installed in September and subsequent
samples of water were found satisfactory. 8 came from Gladstone Park Baths, 2 because of breakdown in
the chlorinator and 6 because of the heavy demands made on the plant during the exceptionally hot summer.
3 came from Granville Road Baths and were due to temporary difficulties with the plant.