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PREFACE
TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
ROYAL BOROUGH OP KIKGSTON-UPON-THAMES.
ANNUAL REPORT, 1946.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Annual Report for 1946 is in the same form as that
for 1945 and as directed by the Minister of Health is confined to
essential matters relating to the Public Health and Social Medicine.
Vital Statistics.
The Registrar General's estimate of the population for
1946 is 39,670, an increase of 3,910 on the figure for 1945.
The number of live births for 1946 is 794, giving a birth
rate of 20.02 per 1,000 of the population. This is higher than the
rate of 16.58 for 1945 and the highest rate since 1921, when a birth
rate of 20.12 was recorded.
The number of deaths for 1946 is 460 giving a crude death
rate of 11.60, compared with 505 deaths and a rate of 14.12 for
1945,
The excess of births over deaths in 1946 is 334 compared
with 88 in 1945.
The number of deaths of infants under 1 year of age in
1946 is 23, giving a rate per 1,000 total (live and still) births
of 28.97 as compared with a rate of 43.84 in 1945. This rate, the
Infant Mortality rate, is falling. Prom 1925 onwards in successive
quinquennial periods it has declined from 69 in the period ending
1925 to 52 for the period ending 1945. The actual rate for 1925
was 73, for 1945, 41 and for 1946 it is 29.
Inference - While it may be said that the trend$ of these
rates is good and if continued would lead to an increased and more
vital population, it should be remembered that the sample of population
is very small and the rising trend in the birth rate may not
be continued for very long.
The Number of Births.
The expected increase in the number of births taking
place in 1946 was realised, 823 births being recorded as against
615 for 1945.
The expected fall in the illegitimate births .in 1946 was
also realised, 61 were recorded as against 64 for 1945.
The Causes of Death.
The main conditions causing death as recorded in the table
for 1946 are Heart Disease 129, Cancer 80, and Intra Cranial Vascular
Lesions 55.
Nursery Occupied Places.
In the four Day Nurseries operating at the end of 1946,
£2,743 attendances were recorded as compared with 42,495 in the same
Nurseries during 1945. A continuing demand for Nursery places is
being experienced.