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DEATHS
The number of deaths credited to Wood Green after the necessary
adjustments have been made for outward and inward transfers was
573 giving a crude death rate of 11.3 per thousand of population
and a corrected death rate of 11.7. The Total number of deaths for
the previous year was 485, when the death rate was 9.6. Of the
total of 573 no fewer than 395 occurred at ages over 65, while
135 deaths occurred at ages of 80 and over and ten a,t ages over
90.
Prom the table which sets out the causes of death during 1958
(page 36) it will be seen that deaths due to diseases of the heart
and circulation made up slightly more than 50%ofthe total deaths
recorded during the year. This repeats the findings of the past
few years. The continued appearance in our mortality statistics
of deaths from coronary occlusion together with other diseases of
the heart and circulation, especially among males during what
should be the prime of life, is most disturbing. Various reasons
have been advanced to explain these catastrophes, although no
single explanation would seem to meet the case. The increasing
stress and strain of modern life together with errors of diet
have both been accused, althouth there may very well be some other
factor or factors which have not yet come to light. Whatever the
cause, this is obviously a matter which calls for the most pro
found study. For the same reason the increase in deaths from cancer
of the lung provides another avenue which should be explored, must
be explored as a matter of urgency. Although one cannot say that
there are any specific factors peculiar to Wood Green which
encourage coronary thrombosis or lung cancer, it is clearly evident
that health education has an important part to play in providing
the necessary advice and guidance, at least along general lines.
INQUESTS
Thirty three inquests were held following the deaths of Wood
Green residents diring 1958. A further 150 post mortem examinations
were carried out without an inquest, 62 of these in the Prince of
Wales Hospital which, by arrangement with the Wood Green Borough
Council, provides mortuary services.
MATERNAL MORTALITY
One death was reported under this heading as the result of
self-induced abortion.
INFANT MORTALITY
There were 15 deaths of infants under one year of age, giving
an infant mortality rate of 23.62 per thousand live births. This
is an increase over 1957 when the number of infant deaths was 11
which gave an infant mortality rate of 16.8. Of the 15 infant
deaths six occurred within the first twenty-four hours, nine
during the first week and 11 during the first four weeks of life.
The corresponding total figure for these three groups in 1957 was
9