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salient feature of preventive medicine in this country over the
past 50 years. I need scarcely point out that this is still the
Borough Council's definite outlook.
Cold statistics are poor material on which to build a living
structure. But when one remembers the magnificent work carried
out in the past in Wood Green relating to housing, the jealous
preservation of open spaces, immunisation, maternity and child
welfare - and Wood Green was indeed in the forefront here - and
even such a small but significant factor as the provision of free
washing facilities in our public conveniences, it will be apprec
iated that our Borough has much of which it can be proud. I would
like here to pay a most sincere tribute to my predecessors who
have left me such a grand her" tage. This great work is still go
ing on, and, although the difficulties which we face today are
very much greater than they were even a decade ago, these difficulties
are being met with vigour and resolution.
The estimated population of Wood Green in December 1906 was
just over 48,000. The 1931 census gave our population as 54,190.
The figure supplied by the Registrar General for 1956 was 50,100,
a decrease of 510 from that of the previous year. In other words,
although the population of Wood Green grew rapidly during the
first few years of the century, it then remained more or less
static, and is now showing a decline. Bearing in mind the number
of families which now occupy houses never intended for more than
one unit, this decline in the population may not be inopportune.
Overcrowding is today one of the gravest social menaces with which
we are confronted. It brings in its wake many inescapable evils,
evils which must be fought with every weapon at our command The
steps which the Wood Green Borough Council is now taking to deal
with clearance areas will be dealt with in more detail later in
this Report. It can meantime be stated that this significant
problem has by no means been overlooked.
The corrected death rate for 1956 was 10.5. The corresponding
death rate for 1906 was 10.6.In 1931 the death rate was 10.1
From this it will be seen that the death rate has not materially
altered, at least in total. When one comes to consider deaths in
the various age groups and from specific causes it will be seen
that a very different and much more pleasing picture is thrown
into immediate relief.
Thus, of the total number of deaths which occurred in 1956,
(537), no less than 377 occurred at the age of 65 or over. 120
deaths occurred over the age of 80 and 19 at ages exceeding 90.
Comparable figures are not available for 1906,but it is recorded
that 289 of the 549 deaths which occurred in 1931 occurred in
persons over the age of 65. If, in fact, figures were available
for 1906, I am quite convinced they would show that many more
persons are now living to the age of 65 and over than was the case
fifty years ago. This, of course, is in keeping with conditions
throughout the country, indeed, in all civilised countries, and
indicates with devastating clarity the increasing need for care
of the aged.
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