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PREFACE.
to the mayor, hLDERMEN and councillors of the
royal borough of kingston-upon-thames.
annual report, 1347.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Annual Report for 1947 is given in the same
form as that for 1946 and, as directed by the Minister of
Health, is confined to essential matters relating to the
Public Health and Social Medicine.
The vital statistics for the year are remarkably
good. Mo serious epidemics have been recorded, but notifications
of Poliomyelitis and Polioencephalitis have numbered
more than in previous years. This was in common with
experience throughout the country.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Population - The Registrar-General's estimate of
the population for 1947 is 40,780, an increase of 1,110 over
the figure for 1946.
Live births - The number of live births for 1947 is
870, giving a Birth Rate of 21.33 per 1,000 of the population,
compared with a rate of 20.02 for 1946, and is the highest
rate since 1921, when a rate of 20.12 was recorded.
Deaths - The number of deaths recorded for 1947 is
495, giving a Death Rate of 12.13, compared with 460 deaths,
and a rate of 11.60, for 1946.
Excess of births over deaths - The excess of births
over deaths in 194.7 is 375, compared with 334 in 1946.
Infantile Mortality Rate - The number of deaths of
infants under one year of age in 1947 is 19, giving a rate
per 1,000 total (live and still) births of 21.84, as compared
with a rate of 28.97 in 1946 with 23 deaths.
This is an encouraging new low level for Infantile
Mortality and can be taken as some return for the Maternity
and Child welfare work carried out on behalf of the mothers of
the town.
The number of Births - The actual number of births
among Kingston residents during the year 1947 shows an
increase, i.e., 870, as against 823 for 1946. This figure
may prove to be a peak, and a slight decline may be evident in
1948.
The Exercise Clinic for Mothers - In February, 1947,
there was introduced to the services offered at the Health
Centre, Grange Road, a session for instruction in ante- and
post-natal exercises for mothers. These immediately proved
popular and have been taken up with enthusiasm by many of the
mothers. Although space at the Health Centre for the conduct
of this class is very restricted, the numbers of mothers taking
advantage of it has grown steadily throughout the year. Much
good work has been done and favourable reports on the beneficial
effect of the exercises during the conduct of labour have been
received from the practising midwives and the mothers themselves.
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