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7
Quinquennial Health Survey.
1921—1925.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Stoke Newington, with its small population, is but a portion
of one large community, therefore a study of the vital statistics
of the Borough cannot be expected to reveal any facts, in reference
to the causation and behaviour of disease, which do not apply in
great measure to London as a whole. A record of the changes
in the prevalence and mortality from disease in the Borough itself
is, however, both interesting and suggestive. During the five
years in question the population has continued to justify its
reputation for being one of the most healthy of the Metropolitan
Boroughs. The facts set out in Tables I and II (pp. 8 and 9),
more particularly those relating to 1921-25, justify this reputation.
It will be seen from these tables that the greatest decreases
relate to those diseases upon which most preventive effort has been
spent, and the local sanitary authority may fairly claim that a
considerable part of the decreases has resulted from the work for
which they are responsible. Great benefits have thus been conferred
upon the community—more particularly by the work undertaken
in connection with Infant Welfare, and the control of communicable
diseases, including Tuberculosis; and these results may
be regarded as the returns from the investments of the health
authorities.
While briefly reviewing the prevalence and fatality of disease
during the most recent five yearly period some reference may be